Billions of dollars worth of food is being needlessly discarded each year in Canada, according to a new report released by the non-profit organization Second Harvest. The report, published on Tuesday, revealed that Canada’s food system wastes an estimated $58 billion worth of food annually, with 41.7% of that waste deemed avoidable.
During a press conference at Second Harvest’s headquarters in Etobicoke, CEO Lori Nikkel highlighted the staggering volume of avoidable waste, which amounts to 8.83 million metric tons of food every year—enough to feed 17 million people three times over.
The report, co-authored by Second Harvest and Value Chain Management International (VCMI), indicates that while overall food waste in Canada has decreased by 20% since 2019, avoidable food waste has actually increased by 6.5%. A key issue highlighted is the misuse of best-before dates, which are responsible for nearly a quarter of all preventable food waste. Nikkel emphasized that these dates are not indicative of food safety but rather food quality, resulting in $13.2 billion in unnecessary waste each year.
From an environmental perspective, the report revealed that avoidable food waste contributes approximately 25.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually—equivalent to the emissions from 253,000 flights between Toronto and Vancouver.
Overall, the findings show that nearly half of all food produced in or imported into Canada—46.5%, to be precise—ends up being wasted.
“This report shines a light on one of the most pressing issues of our time: food waste and its deep connection to the affordability crisis we are all witnessing and many of us are feeling,” said Nikkel. “We find ourselves in a paradox. Food prices are skyrocketing, making it harder than ever for millions of Canadians to put healthy food on their table, yet at the same time, we’re still wasting quantities of perfectly good edible food.”
Nikkel expressed concern over the stark contrast between scarcity and waste, calling it “tragic” and “unacceptable.” She stressed the importance of understanding the full scope of food waste in Canada, especially during a time when many people are struggling to afford basic necessities.
The financial impact of the waste is significant. According to Nikkel, the $58 billion in wasted food annually is equivalent to the cost of groceries for 3.7 million Canadian families. The timing of this waste comes as food banks and non-profits across the country face record demand.
Nikkel also noted that reducing food waste isn’t just about saving resources; it’s about making the most of what’s available. “Every pound of avoidable food waste is a missed meal for a family,” she said. “The research we’re presenting today is more than just numbers—it’s a call to action. By reducing food waste, we can directly impact food insecurity, help stabilize our environment by lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and stretch all of our dollars even further.”
The release of the report follows an urgent appeal from the North York Harvest Food Bank, which recently struggled to meet its donation goals, falling short of essential items like canned meat and other protein-rich foods. According to the organization, 1 in 10 Torontonians now rely on food banks, while in Mississauga, that number stands at 1 in 13.
Second Harvest and VCMI emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive action to reduce food waste, particularly given the ongoing concerns over food affordability. The report aims to serve as a blueprint for a future where food waste is minimized, surplus food is redistributed, and Canadians benefit from a more sustainable and efficient food system.
The research, funded by Loblaw Companies Ltd., involved surveys of more than 1,000 organizations across the food supply chain. VCMI also conducted dozens of interviews and workshops with food industry experts, researchers, policy-makers, and representatives from government and universities.
The report’s findings underscore the importance of collective efforts by industry, government, and the public to tackle food waste and build a more sustainable food system for all Canadians.