Love Food Hate Waste Canada study finds most Canadians want to waste less food

Love Food Hate Waste Canada says its new national survey shows Canadians are eager to buy local food and reduce waste, but many lack the practical knowledge to do it. The findings matter because household food waste remains widespread even as food prices rise and families look for ways to save money.

Why it matters: - The new study points to a gap between Canadians’ intentions and their day-to-day food habits. - Household food waste affects grocery bills, landfill volume and food security at a time when the cost of food remains high. - Closing food literacy gaps could help households save money and keep more food out of landfills.

What happened: - Love Food Hate Waste Canada, an initiative of FoodMesh, released the 2026 National Food Study on Sept. 14, 2026. - The report is described as the largest study of household food waste behaviours conducted in Canada to date. - The survey drew on responses from 8,139 participants nationwide. - The study found 73% of Canadians place high importance on buying food produced in Canada. - The study found 69% of Canadians actively check labels for place of origin. - The study found 98% of Canadians report trying to minimize food waste.

The details: - 97% of Canadians are worried about rising food costs. - 86% have changed grocery habits to save money, including shopping at discount retailers, buying in bulk or looking for sales. - 60% of participants do not know that best before dates refer to food quality, not safety. - Up to 39% of households routinely throw away food because the date on the package has passed. - Fruit and vegetables remain the most discarded food category. - 42% of Canadians store fresh fruit at room temperature on counters or in bowls instead of in the fridge. - 85% of Canadians enjoy eating leftovers. - 34% regularly waste food because they forget about stored leftovers. - Up to 43% of Canadians believe it is acceptable to waste food as long as it is composted. - 33% of residents with access to green bins rarely or never use them. - The report says 59% of households still send food to landfills. - 84% of respondents say moral responsibility motivates them to do the right thing and waste less food.

Between the lines: - FoodMesh says motivation is not the main problem; the bigger issue is food literacy, food safety confidence and misconceptions about composting. - The findings suggest many households want to act responsibly but do not have the practical know-how to prevent waste. - The research frames household food agency as a mix of skills, confidence and the ability to manage food within real-world constraints. - Jessica Regan, co-founder and CEO of FoodMesh, said the study shows Canadians are ready to change but are being held back by everyday food literacy gaps.

What's next: - Love Food Hate Waste Canada says the research will help target specific knowledge gaps with practical tools and tips. - The organization is directing readers to the full report and waste-reduction advice at More information. - FoodMesh will continue using digital tools to divert surplus food and reduce waste across the food supply chain.

The bottom line: - Canadians overwhelmingly want to waste less food, but the study says simple knowledge gaps are still turning good intentions into landfill waste.