Lesson 3 - Food waste and what can be done to fix it

Ksenia
Mar 24, 2021
3 min read

Updated: Mar 31, 2021

Food waste both in America and across the world is a massive problem for climate change, the environment, and hunger. By addressing food waste in farms, grocery stores, and at home, we could potentially feed billions of people and curb the massive emissions generated to make food and from food waste that ends up in the landfill.

🎧 Please watch the video to get a general idea (no worries if you don't understand every single word)

🎧 Please watch the video once again and as you're watching, you will need to do a short quiz

💡 Here's some good vocabulary that can be useful in everyday conversations:

On top of that food waste has been estimated to be responsible for roughly of 8% of global emissions

On top of that means in addition, besides, plus.

For example: Susan can speak English, Spanish and German. On top of that, she can speak Chinese.

RUS: Кроме того, к тому же

Food doesn’t just sprout out of the ground and then magically end up in a trash

End up means to reach or come to a place, condition, or situation that was not planned or expected.

For example: How did this book end up in the garbage? I was shocked to find out that Sam ended up in a rehab clinic.

RUS: Оказаться, в конечном итоге сделать что-то, попасть

There is a long chain of business and consumer interactions that at any point might turn perfectly edible food into waste.

At any point means any time. When we talk about time, we often use the word 'point' - for example at some point, at that point, at any point.

For example: We have to finish cleaning up! My parents will be back at any time!

RUS: В любой момент

Edible is something that you can eat. Have you heard of edible bouquets?

For example: Why are you throwing out the soup? It's totally edible.

RUS: Съедобный

I saw firsthand how the drive for perfect abundant produce perpetuated an unnecessary trend of food waste

When you learn something firsthand, you find out about it from the original source, directly from someone or from personal experience.

For example: I know how you feel when you work 24/7. I've experienced that firsthand.

RUS: Из первых рук, непосредственно, по себе

There’s a severe lack of clarity when it comes to dealing with expiration dates and spoiled goods

When something is not enough, we can say 'lack of'

For example: Her only problem is a lack of confidence.

RUS: Недостаток

When it comes to is a great expression when we talk about opinions or experiences.

For example: When it comes to homemade food, my mom's food is the best. When it comes to sports, I totally suck.

RUS: Когда дело доходит до, если говорить о, что касается

It’s just an arbitrary number someone came up with with no scientific backing whatsoever

Whatsoever is a great word. You can hear it very often in everyday English. It is used after a negative phrase to add emphasis to the idea that is being expressed.

For example: I didn't like that movie whatsoever (=I didn't like that movie at all)

RUS: Совсем нет, вообще, абсолютно

This lack of clear information regarding when a product actually goes bad means that households throw out perfectly edible food well before it expires.

Well before means in advance, a long time before something.

For example: We got there well before the movie started, so we had to wait for a while.

RUS: Задолго, заблаговременно