I had the opportunity to read this book as a part of my course - Agro Value Chain Management and Development (AVCMD). 

The 'Routledge Handbook of Food Waste' succinctly matches its title, offering a multifaceted view of food loss and waste across diverse perspectives and contexts. With contributions from over 60 authors, this compendium illuminates the concept of food waste and guides readers through various analytical angles, scientific methodologies, and potential research directions. The book starts with a brief introduction of the topic and is then divided into six parts, from historical aspects to future visions in food loss and waste regimes. 

The handbook effectively highlights how food waste is not merely a logistical challenge, but a complex issue intertwined with climate change, food security, and economic inefficiencies. It highlights the need for standardized methodologies in measuring and addressing Food Loss and Waste (FLW) and advocates for innovative, systemic changes across policy, technology, and consumer behavior. 

Overall, the Handbook serves as an essential toolkit for any person, be it a scholar, practitioner, or researcher who wants a foundational yet comprehensive understanding of the current food waste studies and prospects for future research. The quote by Tristram Stuart (English author and environmental campaigner), 'Cutting food waste is a delicious way of saving money, helping to feed the world, and protect the planet', resonates profoundly with the invaluable insights offered in this handbook, reaffirming the imperative need for addressing food waste on a global scale.

It was just happenstance that I stumbled upon this book, and I don't regret it at all!

The best part about this book is that you don't have to be an academic to read this book. Spread over 14 chapters, Eat Like the Animals draws parallels between how we, as humans, consume food and how insects select and consume food.  Basically, it's a synthesis of decades of research by the authors. Being biologists the authors borrow insights from evolutionary biology, ecology, and nutrition science to examine how animals select and consume food in the wild, arguing for why humans might benefit from following a more instinctual, natural approach to eating. 

Their research on nutritional ecology, nutritional geometry, and the protein leverage hypothesis has provided me with deep insights into the nutrient balance required for optimal health. As a person interested in the nutrition literature, it has also provided me with a good understanding of what it means to eat 'healthy' in today's complex food landscape.  

"How to end hunger while protecting the planet?" prompted me to pick up this book. In an era marked by climate crises, global conflicts, and economic challenges, this question is more indispensable than ever. With decades of international experience in policy and practice, Prof. Glenn Denning brings unparalleled insight to the table, a fact evident in the rich narrative and comprehensive discussions spread over 16 chapters across four parts.

The book presents a clear and succinct narrative, from historical contexts to practical implementation, offering actionable directions for the future. Unlike other works, this book provides a panoramic view that links history, science, contemporary challenges, and potential solutions into a single compendium. In essence, Denning outlines five powerful strategies for transforming food systems: sustainable intensification, market infrastructure, postharvest stewardship, healthy diets, and social protection.

Whether you are new to this field or have long been working on these issues, the book serves as a solid foundation for thinking, reflecting, and acting to ensure that everyone in the world has equitable access to healthy food while maintaining the health of our planet. Borrowing insights from the book, achieving a sustainable food system requires systemic change, and this work is a clarion call to drive that transformation.