This article examined food waste through an economic lens, focusing on the household as the primary site of waste generation. Drawing on consumer choice theory and empirical research, the authors analyzed the incentives, trade-offs, and behavioral patterns that influence food purchasing and disposal. They found that food waste often results from rational decisions under uncertainty, such as overbuying to avoid stockouts or prioritizing freshness over efficiency. The analysis underscored that food waste is not simply a matter of poor consumer habits but is shaped by broader economic forces like pricing, portion sizes, and market structures. Understanding these drivers is key to designing cost-effective interventions that align with consumer incentives.

Citation: Lusk, J. L., & Ellison, B. (2020). Economics of household food waste. Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics, 68(4), 379–386. https://doi.org/10.1111/cjag.12256