Food upcycling: The missing link in our fight against food insecurity

  food-upcycling-the-missing-link-in-our-fight-against-food-insecurity.html
  Food and Wine on Sat, Oct 18th, 2025 by The Daily Star

Food Upcycling: A Potential Solution to Bangladesh’s Food Insecurity

A recent report in The Daily Star highlights food upcycling as a potentially crucial, yet largely untapped, strategy in addressing food insecurity within Bangladesh. The article, “Food Upcycling: The Missing Link in Our Fight Against Food Insecurity,” argues that diverting edible but otherwise discarded food from landfills and transforming it into new products could significantly alleviate hunger while simultaneously reducing environmental impact.

Bangladesh faces a complex challenge regarding food security. While the nation has made strides in agricultural production, significant portions of harvested crops are lost or wasted throughout the supply chain. This waste occurs at various stages – from farm to consumer – due to factors like inadequate storage facilities, inefficient transportation, cosmetic standards for produce, and consumer behavior. The Food Security Atlas 2023 estimates that approximately one-third of food produced globally is lost or wasted, a figure mirrored in many developing nations including Bangladesh. This waste translates into economic losses, environmental degradation (due to methane emissions from decomposing food), and most critically, contributes to the persistent problem of hunger for vulnerable populations.

The article defines “food upcycling” as transforming byproducts, surplus, or imperfect produce that would otherwise be discarded into valuable new products. It differentiates this from traditional recycling, which often focuses on packaging materials. Upcycling targets the food itself. Examples cited in the report and elsewhere include using fruit peels to create jams or snacks, turning spent grain from breweries into flour for baked goods, and transforming vegetable scraps into broths or powders. The concept isn't entirely new; many traditional Bangladeshi recipes already incorporate often-discarded ingredients like jackfruit seeds or banana stems. However, the article emphasizes a more formalized and scalable approach to upcycling driven by innovation and entrepreneurship.

Several factors contribute to the current underutilization of food upcycling in Bangladesh. The report points to a lack of awareness among farmers, retailers, and consumers regarding the potential value of “imperfect” or surplus produce. Many farmers are forced to discard crops that don’t meet stringent market standards for size, shape, or appearance, even if those products are perfectly edible. Retailers often prioritize aesthetics over nutritional content, leading to waste when fruits and vegetables nearing their expiration dates remain unsold. Consumer preferences also play a role; there's a general reluctance to purchase products perceived as “less than perfect.”

The article highlights the work of organizations like BRAC (Building Resources Across Communities), which is exploring various upcycling initiatives. BRAC’s efforts include supporting small-scale entrepreneurs who are developing innovative food products from agricultural waste. The report also mentions the potential for collaboration between farmers, processors, and retailers to create a more circular food system. This would involve establishing infrastructure for collecting and processing surplus produce, as well as educating consumers about the benefits of upcycled foods.

The economic advantages of food upcycling are significant. By creating new revenue streams from waste materials, it can improve the livelihoods of farmers and entrepreneurs. It also reduces reliance on imported ingredients, strengthening local economies. The environmental benefits are equally compelling. Reducing food waste minimizes methane emissions from landfills, conserves water resources used in agricultural production, and lessens the need for land to grow replacement crops.

The article suggests that government support is crucial for fostering a thriving food upcycling sector. This could include providing financial incentives for businesses engaged in upcycling activities, investing in research and development of new upcycled products, and implementing public awareness campaigns to promote consumer acceptance. Furthermore, streamlining regulations surrounding the production and sale of upcycled foods would remove barriers to entry for small-scale entrepreneurs.

The report concludes that food upcycling represents a “missing link” in Bangladesh’s efforts to combat food insecurity. While not a singular solution, it offers a practical and sustainable approach to reducing waste, improving nutrition, and strengthening the resilience of the nation's food system. Scaling up these initiatives requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders – farmers, businesses, government agencies, and consumers – working together to transform what is currently considered “waste” into valuable resources.

https://www.brac.net/ - BRAC's website provides more information about their development programs, including initiatives related to food security and sustainable agriculture.