Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The discarding or loss of edible food, either at the production level (e.g., farms) or consumption level (e.g., households and restaurants), contributing to environmental, economic, and social issues.
Related terms
Sustainable Food Practices: Strategies aimed at reducing food waste, increasing efficiency in production and distribution systems, and promoting environmentally friendly approaches.
The actions individuals take when acquiring, using, or disposing of goods or services, including decisions related to purchasing, consuming, or wasting food.
Food Insecurity: The state of not having consistent access to enough nutritious food for a healthy lifestyle due to various factors such as poverty or limited availability.