The food waste skyrockets during year-end celebrations. In Mexico, the Food Bank Network warned that during Christmas and New Year, waste increases by up to 40%, reflecting a worrying contrast in a country where millions face food shortages.
Mexico: tons of food in the trash
- Every minute, 57 tons of food are thrown away, equivalent to the load of 16 trucks of 3.5 tons.
- It is estimated that 30 million tons of food are wasted annually.
- Each person discards on average 80 kilos of food per year, a figure that rises during the December holidays.
Claudia Sánchez Castro, leader of the Food Pact, emphasized that abundance should not translate into excess and recommended serving small portions to reduce waste without affecting diners.
Rescue actions
The Food Banks carry out recovery work in the Central de Abasto of Mexico City, where they manage to utilize between 70 and 80% of the collected products.
- The rescued food —cold cuts, vegetables, fruits, groceries, and cleaning items— is delivered to civil organizations in vulnerable communities.
- The Network will continue to urge the population to buy only what is necessary and strengthen food recovery during the holidays.
Argentina: equally alarming figures
In Argentina, each year:
- 72 kilos of food per person are wasted.
- 198 kilos per household, which is equivalent to 1 billion meals.
Fernando Uranga, director of the Buenos Aires Food Bank, highlighted that actions starting at home impact nationally and help food reach those who need it most.
“When a food fit for consumption is discarded, not only is the food lost, but also the resources invested in producing it: water, soil, energy, packaging, transportation, and labor,” Uranga noted.
Main causes of waste
- Deterioration during storage.
- Preparing more than necessary.
- Expiration of products.
- Serving in excess.
The most affected groups in Argentine households are:
- Fruits and vegetables: 77.2% of households.
- Flours, rice, polenta, pasta, and legumes: 26.2%.
- Bread, pastries, and bakery items: to a lesser extent, but still significant.
These data come from the first study on food management in households, conducted within the framework of the National Plan for the Reduction of Food Loss and Waste, with support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and consultancy from CESNI.
The increase in food waste during year-end holidays reflects a structural problem affecting both Mexico and Argentina. Beyond the figures, the phenomenon implies economic, social, and environmental losses of great magnitude.
The key is to promote a responsible management of food, from purchase to consumption, to reduce the impact and ensure that food reaches those who need it most.
