The earth produces enough food to feed everyone. Yet vast amounts are thrown away while hundreds of millions go hungry. According to the UN Environment Programme's Food Waste Index Report, the world wasted about 1.05 billion tonnes of food in 2022 — roughly 19 percent of all food available to consumers. That is equivalent to more than a billion meals wasted every single day.
About 60 percent of that waste comes from households, with the rest from restaurants, food services, and retailers. Meanwhile, the UN's State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2025 report found that about 673 million people — 8.2 percent of humanity — experienced chronic hunger in 2024. While global hunger declined slightly, it continued to rise in Africa and Western Asia.
Food Waste and Hunger (UNEP; FAO and partners, SOFI 2025):
- Wasted: About 1.05 billion tonnes of food in 2022 — about 19% of food available to consumers.
- Daily: Equivalent to more than 1 billion meals thrown away every day.
- Per person: About 79 kilograms of food wasted per person each year.
- Hungry: 673 million people faced chronic hunger in 2024.
- Rising: Hunger continues to increase in Africa and Western Asia.
A Problem of Distribution, Not Supply
Food waste and hunger exist side by side because of inequality, poor infrastructure, conflict, and economic systems that value profit over people. Wealthy nations waste food in homes and stores while poorer nations lose crops for lack of storage and transport. Despite repeated pledges to halve food waste by 2030, progress remains slow.
— Proverbs 22:9
The Bible encourages generosity and sharing. When those principles are ignored, the result is a world in which some throw away food while others starve.
Nothing Wasted, No One Hungry
When Jesus miraculously fed thousands of people, he showed concern not only for satisfying their hunger but also for not wasting what remained.
— John 6:12
That miracle offers a glimpse of what Jesus will do as King of God's Kingdom. Food will be abundant, fairly shared, and carefully used. No one will go hungry, and nothing will be squandered.
A Feast for All Peoples
The Bible uses the picture of a lavish banquet to describe the abundance God will provide for all humanity.
— Isaiah 25:6
Food banks, farmers, and campaigners are working to reduce waste and feed the hungry, and their efforts save lives. But the coexistence of waste and hunger shows that human systems cannot share the earth's bounty fairly. God's Kingdom will ensure that everyone enjoys a place at the table.