Prohibit Food Waste by Supermarkets in Canada
In February 2016, France became the ONLY country in the world to stop supermarkets from wasting unused food. Now, supermarkets of a certain size must donate the edible food to partnered charities or face fines. This is a huge step to fight hunger problems not just in France, but hopefully the whole world. It is definitely a step that a progressive country, such as, Canada is capable of taking.
As a country with a relatively good reputation, it is our duty to assist the less fortunate. The UN estimates that solving the global food crisis could cost roughly $30 billion a year. Compared to what the world spends on military every year ($1.6 trillion in 2015) that amount should not be a problem to achieve. There are kids that go to sleep with no food in their stomach while grocery stores throw away edible food. Why is it that we have this problem that food is being thrown out even though it is still edible? As a multicultural, beautiful, educated country WHY is it that there are still hungry families among us?
We hope this petition will force the Canadian government to lead by example similar to France, where supercentres of a certain size; must donate their foods instead of throwing it out.
For instance:
Foods that are packaged wrongly or damaged but are still edible.
Foods that can't be sold but still edible.
In Canada alone, there is $31 billion worth of food that ends up in the Landfills or composts each year. The Canadian government can use France's legislation as a base model and example to set the legislation in Canada. It is not impossible because countries like France and Italy have already accomplished this task. It is an act that will further benefit not just the people of Canada, but our reputation as a country.
