Author(s): Shalini Deekonda and C Ganesh

Abstract:
Food waste is a social problem, and the generation of food waste in the household is very much associated with family dynamics, cultural beliefs and the practices of food provisioning. Growing individualism in a capitalist economy has led to rapid transformation in lifestyles, preferences, attitudes, and everyday interactions towards the natural resources that we deal with, and it is very much evident in food production to consumption. The objective of this manuscript is to make a research contribution in the Indian context, by offering insights derived from a perspective of Social Practice Theory. The ‘social life and death of food’ tracks from purchasing patterns of households, its handling, preservation, acceptance and utilization and explains how and why, freshly purchased food goes into bins the next day. The paper is based on empirical data collected from 150 households in Telangana State of India. Mixed methods are employed to gather both quantitative and qualitative data, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of the households’ handling of the food. Notably, findings indicate that shifting lifestyles and dietary choices are deeply intertwined with what we value, both materially and intellectually. And, the scope for wastage is observed at every stage, representing the interconnectedness of practices that prioritise convenience over sustainable options. Moreover, State-led waste management initiatives have inadvertently reduced the household's responsibility in dealing with food waste. The study identifies various factors influencing food waste in the district towns of Telangana state.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/23957476.2025.v11.i3f.2021