There are many good reasons to avoid food waste. One is green

About one third of the food produced in the United States ends up in landfills, according to a story in Tuesday’s Republic. The piece discussed some of the reasons for the waste in our country.

Another chapter of the food-waste story is its environmental impact.

» About one third of the water to produce the food is wasted.

» About one third of the energy to produce the food is wasted.

» About one third of the labor to produce the food is wasted.

» About one third of the land used to produce the food is wasted.

And, to add insult to injury, the cost of this food waste is passed on to the consumers.

While the food production process can never be perfect, it can be improved. For starters, survey the food cycle from planting to disposal to identify the sources of food waste and the potential for reducing food waste.

Next, develop some techniques, strategies, and processes that can be used to mitigate food waste.

Finally, promote (educate, encourage and reward) the use of these techniques, strategies and processes.

Note: Arizona already has one organization that is helping to reduce food waste. It’s called Borderlands.

— Alfred Cocanower, Mesa