Milynda Dosunmu, process development officer at the Scientific Research Council (SRC), is calling for Jamaicans to practice better food waste management to reduce the amount thrown away in the country’s landfills.

Dosunmu encourages Jamaicans to rethink their actions and build a food bank for donating to help feed those who need it and emphasises that foods that are deemed unsuitable by farmers, customers, and businesses should not be thrown away but rather be given to less fortunate people such as the homeless.

She noted that while she welcomes the measures already in place such as the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) and the upcoming Food Loss and Waste (FLW) Reduction Programme, strengthening these types of programs is another option that can help food waste management and lower Jamaica’s import bill.

“We keep spending a lot of money buying foods to come into the country. We can reduce that by consuming what we have and developing and supporting our small farmers,” said Dosunmu

Families are encouraged to plan meals, eat leftovers, and better understand expiry date notations inscribed on the packages of foods bought in stores.