“Taste the Waste” delves into places where no one else wants to go. Using the lens of his camera, Thurn sheds light on the huge quantities of food to be found in garbage containers, garbage cans and trash bins.
According to Thurn, producers, retailers and consumers throw out 50 percent of all food. A large part before it ever reaches the consumer. The film discusses the causes and effects of food waste.
Appearance counts
The fact that any type of food is available at any time of the day and year is one of the biggest problems. Be it exotic fruit that needs to be imported or fresh bread baked only ten minutes before the shop closes. As a result of distorted expectations and overproduction, the food thrown away in Europe and the United States would be enough to feed all those starving in the world three times over.
Fruit and vegetables are expected to look as if they have just left the farm. There can be no imperfections on an apple or wrinkled carrots tarnishing the glistening sheen of goods on display. The actual use-by date should be extended much longer than current standards. If not, according to “Taste the Waste”, products are simply not sold.
“What are the consequences of the global food catastrophe for the climate?”
Food production uses a huge amount of resources Water, energy, land and chemical additives are all needed today to cultivate potatoes and bananas. Greenhouse gasses are released during production and transport, and as food decays in landfills.
Not only does Thurn track the causes of food disposal in his film, he also examines the impact it has on the environment.
“Small steps that mean a great opportunity”
(Text: Elisabeth Heider)
