| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, February 27, 2014 | 12:00PM - 2:00PM | Seminar Room 208N, Munk School of Global Affairs 1 Devonshire Place |
Asian Institute PhD Seminar Series
Amidst the reality of global hunger, people waste an estimated 30% to 50% of their food annually. Growing recognition that food waste is a major ecological, economic and moral issue has led to international calls from scholars, policy makers and public figures to urgently reduce food waste. However, research on food waste has mainly focused on food waste generated by consumers in developed countries and little is known about the food waste generated by consumers in developing countries. In the limited literature that examines food waste in the global South, there seems to be an assumption that people in developing countries waste less food.
While Indonesia is indeed a developing country, there is a significant population of middle to upper income groups in Indonesia. Some authors have argued that the consumption patterns of said groups mimic those of “Western” consumers. With a growing urban population, rapid urbanization and uneven access to waste collection services in Indonesia, my research will shed light on the reality of consumer food waste practices in urban areas of developing countries. My study will take the form of an in-depth ethnographic study of 12 lower-income to upper-income households in two neighbourhoods in Bogor Indonesia. 150 household surveys will also be distributed in those two neighbourhoods. Data on food waste in developing countries is scarce and is a significant barrier to planning for appropriate waste management. Indonesia’s densely populated urban centres, hot climate and extreme income disparity are characteristics common to other countries in the global South. This study will therefore serve as a useful lens to explore the phenomenon of food waste in many developing countries.
Tammara Soma is a 2nd year PhD Planning student in the Department of Geography and Planning. Her work focuses on food waste and food consumption in Indonesia. She will be leaving to conduct her fieldwork in May of this year.
You should register by February 26th to receive (and have enough time to read) the outline of this talk. This way, every participant can make a difference by giving constructive suggestions to the speaker. Thank you for your understanding.
If you are attending a Munk School event and require accommodation(s), please email the event contact listed above to make appropriate arrangements.
Disclaimer: Please note that events posted on this website are considered to be public events – unless otherwise stated – and you are choosing to enter a space where your image and/or voice may be captured as part of event proceedings that may be made public as part of a broadcast, webcast, or publication (online and in print). We make every effort to ensure your personal information is kept and used in compliance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). If you have any questions please get in touch with our office at munkschool@utoronto.ca or 416-946-8900.