Americans Waste 40% Of Their Food

Americans are wasteful when it comes to food, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). It has released a report called "Wasted: How America Is Losing Up to 40 Percent of Its Food from Farm to Fork to Landfill". The study highlights how much of the food produced in the USA ends up in the trash. 

It says the 40 per cent of uneaten food equates to around $165 billion a year. This figure has increased by 50 per cent since the 1970s, suggesting Americans are becoming more wasteful. The NRDC highlighted the effect on the environment, saying US food production "eats up 10% of the total US energy budget…and swallows 80% of all freshwater consumed in the United States".

The NRDC points out how a change in behaviour could help America's health. It says: "Reducing food losses by just 15% would be enough food to feed more than 25 million Americans every year at a time when one in six Americans lack a secure supply of food to their tables." The Council offered three tips.

 It suggested the U.S. government should "set national goals for waste reduction," that businesses needed to "streamline their own operations, reduce food losses and save money," and that "consumers can waste less food by shopping wisely…knowing when food goes bad…cooking only the amount of food they need, and eating their leftovers." It said the average family could save up to $2,275 a year.



EXERCISE 1. PRONUNCIATION/WORD VOCABULARY

1. highlight [HAY-LaYTS]
Meaning (verb) to give importance; to emphasize
Example Sentence: The president highlighted about the issue of crime in his speech.

2. swallow [SWA-LOW]
Meaning (verb) To swallow is to cause something to pass down your throat, to accept or believe something, to consume something or cause it to disappear, or to put down an emotion.
Example Sentence: Don't talk too much while swallowing your food.

3.  streamline [iS-tReeM-LaYn]
Meaning (verb) To improve the appearance or efficiency of; modernize; (noun) water or quick movement.
Example Sentence: We will be happy to show you how these new system could considerably streamline your customer relations procedures.


EXERCISE 2. SHARING IDEAS

1. What do you think about what you read?
2. How much food do you waste?
3. How could the government help its people reduce food waste?
4. What do you do with your leftovers?
5. What can you do in your life to reduce wasted food?