Abstract
According to global official data, almost one-third of the food produced in the world is thrown away. Understanding why so much food is discarded in households is crucial. This study sheds light on the relationship between cultural and religious views and food waste generation. Three social groups in Israel were investigated- secular Jews, religious Jews, and Muslim Arabs. The results of interviews highlight the conflict between religious and secular values that prohibit food waste and food wastage practices that actually contribute to food waste. We propose several factors that lead to household food wastage: past and present scarcity, culture, and the need to show off or be considered a “good provider”. Cultural and religious values shape food-waste perceptions and understanding them may help in suggesting tailored policies to reduce food waste.
Presenters
Ofira AyalonProfessor/Head of Energy Policy Program, Natural Resources and Environmental Management, University of Haifa and Samuel Neaman Institute, HaMerkaz, Israel
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Food wastage Religion Culture Households Food Practices
