“Usus pauper”: how early Franciscan economic thought might offer a contribution to the debate about food waste

Valentina Erasmo ()
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Valentina Erasmo: Economy of Francesco Academy

International Review of Economics, 2023, vol. 70, issue 3, No 3, 323-339

Abstract: Abstract This paper shows that early Franciscan economic thought might offer a relevant contribution to the debate about food waste. Some elements related to the Franciscan concept of usus pauper—like the ideal food quantity and food type or the criticism against food storage—might be useful for establishing a more balanced individual relationship with food. This more balanced relationship is an ante-litteram example of food education promoting sustainable food consumption and preventing food waste. Franciscan economic thought might promote voluntary self-commitment initiatives against food waste based on frugality and sustainable choices and contribute to the broader development of alternative economic paradigms compared to mainstream orthodox economics, as has recently been occurring with the perspective of the Economy of Francesco.

Keywords: Franciscan economic thought; Food insecurity; Food poverty; Food waste; Usus pauper (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: B B1 Q (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1007/s12232-023-00421-y

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