The Feeding America organization estimated in a 2020 report that pre-pandemic data reflects the lowest food insecurity rates seen since the Great Recession. Still, the current crisis is likely to reverse the improvements that have occurred over the past decade. Feeding America volunteers collectively work to serve more than 40 million people every year; food banks report increased demand. The decline in the economy is also leading to a higher number of individuals experiencing food insecurity. Research indicates that this number will increase to over 17 million, including 7 million children. Texas would then be home to the largest number of food-insecure children—2.3 million—slightly ahead of California with 2.2 million (feedingamerica.org).

Food waste is a major environmental issue not only in the United States but also globally. The United Nations website points out that when food is lost or wasted, all the resources used to produce that food—including water, land, energy, labor, and capital—go to waste. (un.org/en/observances/end-food-waste-day)

Furthermore, the disposal of food loss and waste in landfills leads to greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change.

In 2019, the 74th United Nations General Assembly designated September 29 as the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, recognizing the fundamental role that sustainable food production plays in promoting food security and nutrition. The present research explores some aspects of the food waste issue and devises a visual solution that educates the public and serves as a call to action to change current behaviors and general misconceptions about food waste.