A qualitative approach to food loss. The case of the production of fruit in Lleida (Catalonia, Spain)

Abstract

Conventional definitions of food loss and food waste consider that the phenomenon can be measured with mass or monetary units. However, the problem is that it is not easy to establish what a discarded foodstuff is. Furthermore, these definitions do not incorporate in their analyses the loss of productive resources. From political ecology and agroecology, other alternative definitions consider that the calculation should be done in terms of energy. This would allow us to include the loss of productive resources in the phenomenon. However, since the counting tools generated by the agrarian economy reduce any economic activity to mass or monetary units, these alternative definitions face a problem of quantification to a greater extent. Consequently, there is currently an open debate about what constitutes food loss; a debate that is not reaching any helpful outcome. In light of these limitations, a qualitative approach to the phenomenon can be more practical. Based on our analysis of food loss in the context of fruit production in Lleida (Catalonia, Spain) we argue that to understand the phenomenon it is more effective to analyse how food loss is produced rather than to try to quantify it.

A critical review on food loss and waste quantification approaches: Is there a need to develop alternatives beyond the currently widespread pathways?

“…Hence, it appears as if the FAO definition (2011) of FLW quantification is prone to a series of subjective methodological interpretations that could lead to its over-or underestimation. In this line, in 2014 the EU Fusions project introduced a definition of FLW that included aspects of the phenomenon not considered by FAO (Gascón et al, 2022), such as food liquid waste, fish discards or some non-edible food stuffs with potential for economic added value, namely compost or biofuel ( Östergren et al, 2014). As a response, FAO modified its 2011 definition by excluding fractions such as sugar, honey, salt, coffee, cocoa or alcoholic beverages, considering them irrelevant foodstuffs for food security (FAO, 2014).…”

“…Nevertheless, Gascón et al (2021) criticizes this statement, considering that the energy balance would be negative. Additionally, the recently promoted approach to quantify the economic value of FLW (FAO, 2019;García-Herrero, 2018) has been criticized as a potentially new element of discordance due to the fact that the mass of a foodstuff is not always correlated to its sales price, and neither is the price the same in different markets (Gascón et al, 2022).…”

“…• Challenge 2: To quantify and reduce FLW related to excessively low prices for food commodities, with a special focus on the FLW generated at agricultural production, where market prices do not justify the expense of harvesting (Priefer et al, 2016). More specifically, non-collected crops, destroyed crops and low rates of redistributed products to secondary uses (such as sauces or juices), should be considered (Gascón et al, 2022). • Challenge 3: To quantify and eradicate losses linked to uneven standardization protocols for food production and consumption, as the currently conditions promote restrictions in processes linked to organic or local products (e.g., direct sale of products at the farm), while there are lower restrictions concerning the use of agrochemical products.…”

Perceptions of Food among College Students in the Field of Food Science: A Food Sustainability Approach

“…The element considered most important was "not wasting food", which increased in significance for more advanced HND students. Food waste is gaining prominence in political, media, and academic discourse as a key issue in the contemporary food system [61,62]. Indeed, reducing food waste constitutes one of the targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (Goal 12).…”

Food Waste and Power Relations in the Agri-Food Chain. The Fruit Sector in Lleida (Catalonia, Spain)

“…These power relations are asymmetrical and have become even more marked in recent decades as a result of the increasingly disproportionate influence accumulated by large retail food chains and exporting companies (Isakson, 2014 ). In spite of this, with a few exceptions (Stuart, 2009 ; Montagut & Gascón, 2014 ; Gascón, 2018 ; Bowman, 2020 ; Gascón, Solà and Larrea, 2022 ; Hoehn et al, 2023 ), studies focusing on FW have not addressed the impact of power relations within the agri-food chain on FW accumulation.…”