Work

Food waste in South Africa: a focus on meat and vegetables

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study investigates the prevalence, nature, and causes of food waste among South African households, with a specific focus on meat and fresh vegetables. The study draws exclusively on the analysis of a nationally representative quantitative survey of 3095 households across the nine provinces of South Africa to establish if household food waste exists, and explore its prevalence, drivers, and patterns. Addressing a notable gap in existing literature, this study aims to both contribute to a substantial gap in existing literature and to provide evidence to inform policy by highlighting what influences the problem of household food waste in the country and how it could be solved. The study frames household food waste as a threat to sustainability of food systems whose reduction is a critical hazard-control strategy aligned with the One Food concept, which emphasises saving meals, species, and resources within sustainable food systems.

Source: Human Science Research Council SA

DOI: 10.14749/31332937

Author: Human Sciences Research Council

Language: English

Topic: Food Waste Reduction and Sustainability

Subfield: Food Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: green

Funder: Human Sciences Research Council

OpenAlex ID: W7128821406

FWCI:

Cites:

Cited by:

Related to: