# Achieving Food Security Through Sustainable Living

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/04/achieving-food-security-through-sustainable-living/
- Published: 2022-04-08T14:36:26-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

Food [insecurity](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/11/carec-ministers-endorse-new-green-recovery-food-security-and-clean-energy-cooperation-initiatives/)
and climate change are two global crises that often feel [too big](https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/01/nashville-predators-does-food-recovery-challenge/)
and too isolated for any individual to resolve. However, making an impact on both
issues is more doable than you may think. There’s an interconnection between sustainable
living and [food](https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/09/howgood-announces-best-brands-rating-directly-on-packaging/)
[security](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/01/two-wholesome-green-nourishing-bowls-for-you/)
goals that you can act locally to achieve in your community, whether you’re at work
or at home.

Let’s explore how your sustainable efforts can help access to [food](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/08/challenges-facing-the-u-s-food-system/)
grow — and how better food handling and food consumption choices can improve sustainability.
As you recognize how some of the biggest issues facing our world interconnect, you
can proactively contribute to solutions in your area.

![Food security. Let’s explore how your sustainable efforts can help access to food
grow — and how better food handling and food consumption choices can improve sustainability.
As you recognize how some of the biggest issues facing our world interconnect, you
can proactively contribute to solutions in your area.](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.
com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/chad-stembridge-8FjF1p-aw0-unsplash.jpg?resize=420%
2C280&quality=52&ssl=1)

## Food Loss vs. Food Waste

[A quarter of food production emissions are wasted](https://ourworldindata.org/food-ghg-emissions)
in the supply chain and by consumers. To help you understand the link between [food security and sustainability](https://greenlivingguy.com/2018/08/seattle-is-leading-the-way-in-growing-local-food-policy/),
we’ll explore two ways that people waste food at the business and consumer levels.

### Food Loss

Food loss occurs when food becomes spoiled or otherwise lost before it reaches consumers.
It’s often the result of poor pest control or improper food handling. For instance,
if tomatoes are poorly packaged in the delivery process, they may become squished
or contaminated by bacteria.

Food loss is a contributor to both climate change and food insecurity. For example,
when food loss occurs during transportation, people are not fully [utilizing vehicles which can lead](https://greenlivingguy.com/2007/03/sunedison-sacramento-municipal-utility-district-smud-plus-leading-inverter-manufacturers-supporting-utility-standard-ansi-c12/)
to excess emissions. Since this decreases the efficiency of delivery, this can increase
the prices of food while limiting its availability. Food loss isn’t an issue that
we can directly prevent. However, people who work in the supply chain can make an
[impact on a local](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/11/local-food-networks-create-environmental-impact/)
level. For instance, you can push for more lax quality control processes, like those
that allow foods with small imperfections (like minor bruising) to get sold to retailers
instead of getting tossed.

### Food Waste

[Food waste](https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/12/finding-impactful-ways-to-fight-food-waste-epidemic/)
occurs when retailers or consumers leave food to rot or otherwise discard it. For
example, a grocer may choose to sell produce until it rots. While a consumer may
purchase more than they can consume.

Your personal sustainability efforts can easily combat [food](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/11/green-careers-jobs-in-sustainability-for-all-levels/)
waste and prevent food insecurity at a local level. For example, when you [commit to donating to local food banks](https://www.goodrx.com/well-being/diet-nutrition/help-with-food-insecurity)—
or even organize a food drive of your own — you can clear your pantry of unused 
products while helping impoverished families get the food they need. Similarly, 
you can [commit to freezing or preserving food](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/09/sustaining-human-lives/)
before its expiration to decrease food waste (and therefore, emissions waste). 

## How Sustainability Efforts Can Preserve Our Farmlands

Climate change can be a huge contributor to issues with [food production around the world](https://greenlivingguy.com/2012/01/world-food-program-usa-welcomes-appointment-of-ambassador-ertharin-cousin-as-new-executive-director-of-u-n-world-food-program/).
In the Mekong Delta, which is where half of Vietnam’s rice production occurs, [changes in production can heavily impact food availability](https://www.globalhungerindex.org/issues-in-focus/2019.html)—
and rice is known to be highly sensitive to temperature change. In this sense, making
sustainable choices can be essential for preserving farmlands.

Preventing food loss can decrease pressure on farmers to produce large quantities
of food. It can also help ensure food security. When food spoils, [it creates an abundance of methane](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/11/the-importance-of-food-recycling/).
By only purchasing what you can eat, you can decrease your carbon footprint. Committing
to a plant-based diet can also decrease demand for meat and dairy products, the 
production of which [can have devastating effects on farmlands](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/08/how-the-food-you-eat-affects-the-environment/)
and the global environment.

Supporting the many companies that are automating food production processes can 
be your opportunity to change corporate behaviors, too. Automation can decrease 
food waste by preventing mistakes in [food](https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/05/green-up-your-grocery-cart/)
handling. It can also prevent the exploitation of international laborers. 

By eating smarter and making more sustainable, purposeful purchases, you can make
a difference on the [environment and food](https://greenlivingguy.com/2026/02/electric-city-food-trucks-deliver-sustainability-to-the-bronx/)
security.

**_Author: Noah Rue_**

![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641?
s=300&d=monsterid&r=g)

 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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