SFU expert on food waste: new report highlights solutions and strategies

CONTACT:

Tammara Soma, assistant professor, Resource and Environmental Management, 604.655.5434, tammara_soma@sfu.ca

Shradhha Sharma; University Communications and Marketing, 604.202.2504, shradhha_sharma@sfu.ca

A report released today by the U.S.-based National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) highlights the growing problem of consumer food waste and offers recommendations for changes at an individual and policy level to address the issue.

“Targeting food waste reduction at the consumer level, the report is a breath of fresh air as it doesn’t center the blame on consumers, rather it acknowledges that every sector across the food supply chain has a role to play in facilitating food waste reduction at the consumer level,” says Tammara Soma, an urban planning professor at SFU’s School of Resource and Environmental Management.

Soma is part of the committee responsible for creating the report, which aims to inform future strategies and solutions to reduce food waste, tackle problems of food security and maintain a sustainable food supply. Her research focuses on food waste and security, food system planning, resilience and access, and waste management.

The only Canadian scholar on the committee, Soma is available for interviews after 12 pm (PST) today. A webinar to discuss the report’s findings, conclusions, and recommendations will be held at 9:00 am (PST) and can be accessed here.

 

About Simon Fraser University: 

As Canada’s engaged university, SFU works with communities, organizations and partners to create, share and embrace knowledge that improves life and generates real change. We deliver a world-class education with lifelong value that shapes change-makers, visionaries and problem-solvers. We connect research and innovation to entrepreneurship and industry to deliver sustainable, relevant solutions to today’s problems. With campuses in British Columbia’s three largest cities – Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey – SFU has eight faculties that deliver 193 undergraduate degree programs and 127 graduate degree programs to more than 35,000 students. The university now boasts more than 160,000 alumni residing in 143 countries.