We know there’s a need to improve how we measure food loss but to understand the full story, the numbers need context. There’s value in using both empirical and perceptual approaches. This Step explains measuring food loss at the farm or plot level. You’ll look at ways of aggregating data at the local, regional and national level later in the course.

Methods

In Step 1.6 we briefly considered at a range of methods to estimate and measure food loss. Let’s look at different empirical and perceptual approaches in more detail.

Perceptual

This approach is characterised by being interpretation-based and descriptive and helps us to ask ‘why’ and ‘how’. It provides insight into the perceptions, estimations, and subjective experiences of respondents.

Figure 1: Description of perceptual methods. ©University of Reading.

Empirical

This approach is numbers-based, countable and measurable which helps us ask ‘how much’, ‘how many’ and ‘how often’. It provides greater understanding of the scale and magnitude of food loss in a controlled and accurate way.

Figure 2: Description of empirical methods. ©University of Reading.

Process

Look at the flow chart below. The boxes show the key steps in the food loss measurement process. The text highlights the importance of combining perceptual and empirical methods. The selected approach will ultimately be determined by a variety of practical factors including crop characteristics, accessibility, cost and time.

Figure 3: Flow chart of food loss measurement process. ©University of Reading. Click to expand diagram.