RealAgriculture

Ag Policy Connection: Tackling Food Waste Through a Systems Approach, with Lori Nikkel

The Egg Policy Connection podcast features Lori Nikkel, CEO of Second Harvest, outlining her "big idea": a national food‑waste strategy to curb the systemic inefficiencies that cause Canada to discard almost half of the food it produces. Nikkel traces the evolution of Second Harvest from a modest food‑rescue charity to a data‑driven organization focused on preventing waste rather than merely diverting it. Key data points underscore the urgency: waste dropped from 58% in 2019 to 46.5% in 2025, yet roughly 46% of food remains lost, equating to $58 billion in avoidable waste. Nikkel emphasizes that 23% of this waste stems from best‑before dates, and that effective strategies must begin with consistent measurement—an ISO‑aligned food‑waste management system slated for global rollout. She argues that prevention, not just diversion, offers the greatest economic and environmental returns. Illustrative anecdotes highlight the shift in mindset. Nikkel recounts her personal journey from low‑income single parent to food‑system leader, and cites a Campbell Soup line‑change that saved $250,000 annually by redirecting mis‑sorted tomatoes. She also points out regulatory fragmentation, noting how compost guidelines differ between Mississauga and Toronto, hampering coordinated action. The broader implication is clear: Canada needs a unified, federally backed food‑waste policy that aligns measurement standards, incentivizes prevention at the line level, and harmonizes provincial regulations. Such a framework could unlock significant cost savings, reduce greenhouse‑gas emissions, and improve food security, positioning Canada as a global leader in sustainable food systems.