Exploratory Analysis of Fruit and Vegetable Waste in Retail Stores in La Calera, from December 2022 to March 2023

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: A third of the world's food production is lost and wasted, a situation that impacts food security, economic development, and the environment. The objective was to quantitatively and qualitatively analyze the waste of fruits and vegetables (F&V), and the factors that contribute to its generation in retail stores.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study. Thirty businesses in the city of La Calera were surveyed during the period 2022-2023. The research was conducted as part of the project "Waste of Fruits and Vegetables in Retail Stores (Greengrocers) in Córdoba and Greater Córdoba: Analysis and Characterization for a Sustainable Food System," supported by the Research Secretariat of Universidad Siglo 21 and funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Province of Córdoba, according to Resolution 2023/00000018.The owners/managers of the stores were contacted and informed about the purpose of the study, the guarantee of confidentiality regarding their trade name and data management, their right not to participate according to their availability and interest, and to stop the questionnaire at any time. Participation was respected by obtaining verbal consent from each respondent.