Water, Energy and Nutrient Losses from Food Wastage of Selected Crops in Three Agro-Climatic Zones in British Columbia, Canada

Food waste is a growing global concern. Data on the factors and magnitude are largely estimates, thus local studies aid in providing information impacts of food waste. Three important agro-climatic zones British Columbia nine common crops, both annual perennial, were selected to evaluate environmental nutritional implications Using Canadian estimates total waste, constituent water, caloric content, protein, vitamin C, phosphorus potassium wasted by each crop estimated. Regionally, production losses highest Lower Fraser Valley which had high potatoes blueberries, followed Okanagan, with grapes apples, Vancouver Island, potatoes. Virtual water was estimated BC Agriculture Water Calculator used assess soil climatic impacting demand. Although texture seemed influence demand, zone main factor controlling demand corresponding amount wasted. Dry virtual up two times higher for same texture. finer soils more efficient irrigation systems congruent stress scenarios. Total region based conservative would have supplied energy protein over 40,000 adults, C 300,000 adults one year. Additionally, N, P K accounted 32, 2 13 kg/ha respectively fertilizers Columbia. This study confirmed significance human nutrition management regional data representative crops.