Food waste reduction strategies focus on household habits and institutional redistribution

Efforts to combat food waste and hunger are being addressed through both individual household habits and institutional initiatives in Brazil. Researchers from institutions such as the University of Michigan and Drexel University suggest practical domestic strategies to reduce waste, including planning grocery lists, repurposing vegetable scraps for broth, freezing soup in flat bags, and using air fryers to revive leftovers.

On a systemic level, legislative actions by the Rio de Janeiro State Legislative Assembly (Alerj) aim to encourage donations to fight hunger. Programs like Assaí Atacadista’s ‘Destino Certo’ have redistributed hundreds of tons of produce that lacked commercial visual appeal but remained safe for consumption, contributing to nearly 490,000 meals. Additionally, organizations like the Instituto Fome de Tudo are utilizing technology to connect companies with surplus food to social institutions, aiming to bridge the gap between waste and food insecurity.