We know that 40 per cent of our food is wasted. I asked the supermarket what happened to all the fish that wasn't sold. I was told that after three days, it is thrown out.
We have many supermarkets here in Kelowna that all do the same thing. We also have three excellent fish markets, which probably are required by law to discard anything leftover.
Our oceans are dying and we have many species that are threatened and still we continue to discard most of the supply.
Why do supermarkets have to carry fish? Why don't they leave it to the fish markets? There would be a lot less waste. But the customer isn't prepared to drive a little farther or make the effort to buy this fish. They want one-stop shopping.
I am sure most customers don't realize this policy exists, so they don't stop and think about it.
I have seen staff going through the fruit display and throwing out huge amounts of perfectly good food. They can't give it to anybody, so it goes into the garbage, or do they compost it?
You can get a list of sustainable or threatened fish from the fish market to help you make good choices.
So next time you buy fish, ask a few questions and only buy fish that has been fished by countries that fish sustainably.
I hope this will make you aware of this waste and help you make some conscientious decisions.
Elaine Bunge,
Kelowna