A deep dive into why humans waste so much food and the consequences for people and the planet

Around the world, a billion tons of food gets thrown away every year, even when hundreds of millions of people suffer from hunger. A lot of what we don't eat ends up rotting in landfills which contributes to global warming. The good news is that many governments, communities and individuals are working hard to tackle this giant problem. You can be part of the solution, starting in your own home—and working together, we can decrease our overall waste and make sure all people have food security. Plus, by reducing food waste, we can also fight climate change!

With inspiring profiles of food-waste activists and tasty tidbits on things like best-before dates, Good Food, Bad Waste offers much food for thought. The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

Erin Silver is an award-winning children’s author. Her books include Just Watch Me (Krystal Kite Award nominee), What Kids Did: Stories of Kindness and Invention in the Time of COVID-19 (Hackmatack Award nominee), Proud to Play: LGBTQ+ Athletes Who Made History, Rush Hour: Navigating Our Global Traffic Jam (Blueberry Award winner), Sitting Shiva (Vine Award finalist, TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award finalist) and Good Food, Bad Waste: Let’s Eat for the Planet (2024 American Association for the Advancement of Science/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books finalist). Erin was chosen to tour during Canadian Children’s Book Week in 2023 and is a sought-after speaker at schools, libraries and conferences. She has an MFA in creative nonfiction and a postgraduate journalism degree. Erin lives in Toronto.

Erin Silver's profile page

Suharu Ogawa is a Toronto-based illustrator. Her love for drawing started in a kindergarten art school after being kicked out of calligraphy class for refusing to convert to right-handedness. Formally trained in art history and cultural anthropology, she worked for several years as a university librarian until her passion for illustration called her out of that career and into the pursuit of a lifelong dream. Since then, Suharu has created illustrations for magazines, public art projects and children's books, including Why Humans Work: How Jobs Shape Our Lives and Our World in the Orca Think line. She also teaches illustration at OCAD University in Toronto.

Suharu Ogawa's profile page

• Nominated, Young Readers' Choice Book Awards of British Columbia (YRCABC) Red Cedar Book Awards - Nonfiction
• Nominated, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books - Middle Grade
• Short-listed, The Nature Generation Green Earth Book Award - Children’s Nonfiction
• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens
• Long-listed, Science Writers and Communicators of Canada (SWCC) Book Awards - Youth Category

“Educational, insightful and eye-opening, Good Food, Bad Waste fosters awareness of a huge problem and encourages thoughtful solutions. Highly Recommended.”

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

“Written in conversational and inviting ways…Illustrations are helpful and add contextual meaning. This book is sure to help with making better choices.”

Sal's Fiction Addiction

“Through positive encouragement, children will feel inspired to take action and help change their family’s eating and waste habits. This informative book would be a valuable addition to any library, offering important lessons in a fun and accessible format for young readers.”

Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)

“A thorough, upbeat look at the problem of food waste proposing some individual responses.”

Kirkus Reviews

“With a hopeful message that even small changes by individuals or groups can make a huge difference, this book is excellent for independent or curriculum-related reading.”

Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Canadian Children’s Book News

“Ideas presented offer an exciting potential source for research and personal activism…A highly readable book with a topic that hits close to many homes. Highly Recommended.”

School Library Connection