The rapid increase in food waste not only leads to economic problems but also contributes to social, political, and environmental challenges. In response, research and initiatives aimed at reducing food waste have gained momentum in recent years. Considering that consumers play a central role in food waste, their involvement is crucial in tackling this issue effectively. This study aims to assess household perspectives on food waste, with a specific focus on fresh fruits and vegetables, the most commonly wasted food items. The primary data for the study were collected from 384 households in the central district of Yozgat, Turkey. The findings indicate that fresh fruits and vegetables are the leading category of food waste among households. Moreover, statistically significant relationships were found between fruit and vegetable waste and several socio-demographic factors, including household income, marital status, number of children, household size, and shopping frequency. Based on these findings, it is suggested that a combination of public awareness campaigns, regulatory measures, economic incentives, and infrastructure development policies could be effective in reducing the waste of fresh produce at the household level.

Food Waste Fresh Fruits Fresh Vegetables Yozgat.