An estimated 2,000 tonnes of edible food ends up in the City of Saskatoon landfill annually, along with another 13,000 tonnes into privately owned landfills in the areas.

The study gathered information from a variety of stakeholders, including food retailers and organizations on the front lines of providing food to clients in Saskatoon.

Key points include a food recovery association, a social enterprise to “upcycle” or transform surplus foods for other uses and a public awareness campaign.

“It is now easier to just throw things away,” said Farhad Lashgarara, a principal researcher for the study. “We need to change that equation.”

The city will be introducing regulations next year for business to start diverting food waste generated.

It is estimated one-third of the food produced worldwide and 30-40 percent of all food produced in Canada is wasted or lost.

(photo Saskatoon landfill-credit City of Saskatoon)

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