Editor:
What is most disturbing about the panic-buying that is currently happening in grocery stores is the fact that large quantities of that food will be wasted. Canadians already waste an astonishing amount of food.
Families can only consume so much, so there is no doubt that a lot of the perishables bought during the past week will go to waste.
Many people will not use food once it has gone past its best-before date, despite the fact that it is perfectly safe to eat.
The excess food will sit in the fridge until it is no longer edible and then it will be discarded.
Just last week, I walked by a home whose compost bin had toppled and among the contents were a full French loaf of mouldy bread and a mouldy head of cauliflower (which currently costs approximately $4 per head).
This is absolutely appalling, particularly now that the food banks are desperately in need. It concerns me that some of the people who will be asking for government help are possibly some of the same people who waste valuable food.
It would be very depressing to lift the lids of the compost bins next week, so I will not do that.
Human beings are a very interesting species.
Maria Walsh, Surrey
