Food Waste, Food Insecurity, and the Globalization of Food Banks

Food banks have grown to be one of the most significant ways to redistribute food waste, giving food to communities in around 100 countries on six continents. However, Daniel Warshawsky argues that their impacts may be limited and that we need to reformulate their role to be more realistic and incorporate the knowledge and experiences of the food insecure. These collective changes can contribute to a future where food banks play a smaller but more targeted role in food systems.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 225 pages
Publication date: 31 January 2024
Publisher: University of Iowa Press

Food banks, which are warehouses that gather and organize surplus food, have emerged as one of the most significant channels for redistributing food waste. These institutions, which originated in North America in the 1960s, now provide food to communities in approximately one hundred countries across six continents. In his book, Daniel Warshawsky examines the global expansion of food banks and explores the limitations of food charity in addressing food insecurity and waste.

Through fifteen years of extensive fieldwork conducted across four continents, Warshawsky provides a comprehensive analysis of the factors that contribute to the proliferation of food banks worldwide. Despite their potential impacts, he argues that food banks need to be reformulated to be more effective in reducing food insecurity.

The primary challenge facing food banks is the unrealistic nature of their mission. Food surpluses, while significant, cannot have a substantial impact on reducing food insecurity on a large scale. Food banks must regain their institutional independence from the state and corporations and incorporate the knowledge and experiences of the food insecure into their daily operations. This requires a shift towards a more collaborative and inclusive approach to food systems.

Collective changes such as these can lead to a future where food banks play a smaller but more targeted role in food systems. They can focus on addressing specific areas of food insecurity, such as poverty, hunger, and food deserts, by working closely with local communities and organizations. This approach will ensure that food banks are more effective in addressing the root causes of food insecurity and making a meaningful difference in the lives of those they serve.

In conclusion, food banks have emerged as a powerful mechanism for redistributing food waste, but their impact on reducing food insecurity is limited. To achieve a more sustainable and effective food system, food banks need to reformulate their mission, regain institutional independence, and incorporate the knowledge and experiences of the food insecure. By adopting a collaborative and inclusive approach, food banks can play a smaller but more targeted role in addressing food insecurity and contributing to a more equitable and sustainable food system for all.

Weight: 344g
Dimension: 153 x 229 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781609389338