Food waste is a worldwide problem. Here’s how cold storage can help.
According to the Natural Resources Management and Environment Department of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, “the world can produce enough food to provide every person with more than 2,700 calories per day. Yet more than 800 million people in the developing world suffer from chronic undernutrition.”
There are a number of factors that affect the availability of food around the world, including environmental disasters, war, economic fluctuations, cold storage availability and geographic location, among many other things. But one major contributor is also food waste.
What Is Food Waste?
Food waste is food that is lost or discarded while still uneaten. In developed countries, much of the food waste takes place in the consumerism stage. This often involves:
- Overly large portions served at restaurants that are uneaten and then tossed
- Food that is still safe to eat, yet is thrown away due to overly cautious expiration dates
- Overstocked grocery shelves with an abundance of unused products that are eventually thrown away to make room for new products
In poorer countries, food waste looks a little different. Many developing countries contribute to the world’s overall food waste due to a lack of technology, efficient transportation and cold storage solutions.
Food Waste Facts
Did you know …
- In 2011, the Food and Agriculture Organization reported that nearly one-third of the edible food that is produced for human consumption gets lost or wasted globally. This adds up to about 1.3 billion tons annually.
- According to the National Institute of Health, just one-fourth of the food we waste would be enough to provide 43 million people with three meals a day.
- The Green Restaurant Association reported that a single restaurant could produce anywhere from 25,000 to 75,000 pounds of waste in just one year.
- According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, about 40 percent of the food in the U.S. goes to waste.
The High Cost of Food Waste
A lack of cold storage solutions, conscious consumerism and efficient processing and distribution methods have resulted in massive food waste across the globe – the cost of which is very high.
First and foremost, food waste results in hungry and sick people. Without access to healthy, nutritious foods, there are millions of starving people suffering across the globe. Additionally, food waste results in massive monetary expenses, as distribution companies, producers and retailers suffer the cost of wasted products. Valuable resources are also thrown to the wayside with food waste.
The Cold Storage Solution
Aldelano has created an innovative solution to our world’s food waste problems and it can be used in any geographic location, in a variety of applications. So what is the solution? The Solar ColdBox.
The Solar ColdBox is an off-grid cold storage solution that is powered by the sun, offering mobility, flexibility and functionality. It’s an effective solar refrigeration solution for restaurants, off-grid villages, medical aid, military organizations and more, with 20 feet of solar-powered refrigerated storage.
Contact us to learn more about our Solar ColdBox, a versatile and innovative cold storage solution. We’re dedicated to doing our part to reduce food waste in our world and we believe the Solar ColdBox is a step in the right direction. Order yours today.
