America Wastes 2.3 Billion Pounds Of Seafood Per Year
It’s no secret that America has problems feeding everyone in its borders — a grim reality that applies to the world at large. Production and distribution of food is an issue that has yet to be sorted, and won’t be for a good while. It certainly doesn’t help matters when shocking statistics pop up — namely, just how much food can end up going to waste.
The John Hopkins Center for a Livable Future has crunched the numbers, and the results aren’t exactly flattering. According to their research, 4.7 billion pounds of seafood make it into the States every year; unfortunately, 2.3 billion of those pounds never make it to the mouths of hungry people. Whether it’s because it goes bad when it’s in consumer hands, thrown out by retail, or unintentional capture by fishermen, the pounds add up quickly. The end result is that a good 12 million people are denied of protein — and enough of it to last for a year.
There isn’t a quick fix to the problem, but it’s possible for reforms over time. The Obama administration has declared plans to begin cutting food waste across the nation, which is part of an unprecedented movement for the nation. Even so, experts suggest that it’ll take efforts on every level — from restaurants, grocers, and even shoppers — to make sure America gets the most out of its fish.
