Introduction
When it comes to grocery shopping, rotisserie chickens seem like a delicious and easy option for dinner. However, every time I walk by the rotisserie case in a supermarket, I see chicken carcasses piled up in the trash, their once-glistening juices congealing into a slimy jelly.
It all started when I was working as a cashier in a chain supermarket. One day, I was chatting with a colleague about the behind-the-scenes secrets that shoppers didn’t see. The deli employee said, 'Last night we tossed out about sixteen birds.' He explained that managers wanted the rotisserie chicken case to be full at all times because a full case looked appetizing, while a half-empty one looked sad.
The Problem of Food Waste
Keeping the case full was an all-day affair. Workers arrived before dawn to season and roast dozens of birds. (One employee burned his arm while maneuvering chickens into the oven. He quit soon after.) The seasoning and roasting continued throughout the day. As birds disappeared from the display case, workers replaced them. Finally, the store closed, and the leftover chickens were thrown out.
This cycle of food waste is a serious problem that affects not only supermarkets but also society as a whole. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), about one-third of all food produced in the world is lost or wasted.
Consequences of Food Waste
Food waste has severe consequences for the environment, economy, and society. In addition to contributing to hunger and poverty, food waste also generates greenhouse gases, pollutes water, and degrades biodiversity.
Furthermore, food waste also affects workers in the food sector, who often struggle to make ends meet. According to a UN report, food sector workers are more likely to live in poverty than workers in other sectors.
Conclusion
Food waste is a complex problem that requires a multifaceted approach. It is necessary for supermarkets, governments, and consumers to work together to reduce food waste and promote sustainability.
Source / Reference: The Guardian Environment