It’s no secret that America has problems feeding everyone in its
borders — a grim reality that applies to the world at large. Production
and distribution of food is an issue that has yet to be sorted, and
won’t be for a good while. It certainly doesn’t help matters when
shocking statistics pop up — namely, just how much food can end up going
to waste.
The John Hopkins Center for a Livable Future has
crunched the numbers, and the results aren’t exactly flattering.
According to their research, 4.7 billion pounds of seafood make it into
the States every year; unfortunately, 2.3 billion of those pounds never
make it to the mouths of hungry people. Whether it’s because it goes bad
when it’s in consumer hands, thrown out by retail, or unintentional
capture by fishermen, the pounds add up quickly. The end result is that a
good 12 million people are denied of protein — and enough of it to last
for a year.
There isn’t a quick fix to the problem, but it’s
possible for reforms over time. The Obama administration has declared
plans to begin cutting food waste across the nation, which is part of an
unprecedented movement for the nation. Even so, experts suggest that
it’ll take efforts on every level — from restaurants, grocers, and even
shoppers — to make sure America gets the most out of its fish.
