Love Food Hate Waste (LFHW) Canada Releases First Progress Report

About 63 percent of Canada's food waste is edible, and Love Food Hate Waste (LFHW) Canada is working to reduce that number.

The organization has empowering millions of Canadians with prevention strategies. Now, it has released a report detailing its progress over its first three years of operations.

Jack Froese, chair of the National Zero Waste Council, commented that LFHW is "excited to build on the momentum of our first three years, and the power of collaboration, to inspire positive behaviour change and help more people prevent food waste at home.”

The National Zero Waste Council started the organization in 2018 in partnership with governments and other groups including retailers to educate Canadian citizens. The average household wastes $1,300 of food each year, which amounts to 2.3 million tonnes or $21 billion of edible food waste. This adds 6.9 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year, according to the National Zero Waste Council.

LFHW Canada delivers campaigns designed around the root causes of food waste and advocates for residents to plan it out, use it up and keep it fresh. 

According to the organization, research publishing in a 2020 survey found that 94 percent of Canadians were motivated to reduce their household food waste and that 84 percent believed that everyone has a responsibility to prevent food waste. 

In its "Making Every Bite Count" impact report, LFHW showcased how it has connected to Canadian resident via outreach and engagement, advertising, content marketing, social media and other efforts.

"We’re proud of our success so far, and eager to build on the momentum we’ve built over these first three years,": the organization stated. "As we move forward, we’re committed to boosting our role in the local, national and global food-waste communities. We’ll lead the Canadian effort in the annual global event, Food Waste Action Week, for example, and intensify our engagement with other international partners."