(012) Accounting for Food Waste: Reshaping Finance for a Sustainable Future

In this episode, we uncover the hidden financial, environmental, and social costs of food waste — a global issue that often goes unmeasured and unreported across retail and supply chains. Dr. Leanne Keddie, Associate Professor of Accounting at the Sprott School of Business, joins chair Dr. Martin Farrar to explore why food waste remains largely invisible in traditional accounting systems and what it will take for finance professionals to drive meaningful change.

Keddie explains how the catch‑all category of "shrink" masks the true scale of waste, why emotional and organisational barriers prevent accurate reporting, and how misaligned systems lead to misaligned decisions. She makes the case for clearer standards, better measurement, and reporting frameworks that bring accountability into the heart of accounting.

The conversation also looks ahead to the transformative potential of AI, blockchain, and circular economy models — from transparent tracking across the food lifecycle to cross‑sector networks that turn waste into new value. Keddie outlines a bold vision for zero food waste, where finance plays a central role in aligning production, demand, and redistribution to build a more sustainable future.

CONNECT  Leanne on LinkedIn

Martin on LinkedIn

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