Introduction

Food is a fundamental human need, and its availability is central to food security strategies. Food security refers to consistent access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food for a healthy life. However, global food security is increasingly threatened by food waste across the supply chain, including production, storage, processing, distribution, and consumption. This waste reduces food availability and generates significant economic and environmental impacts. Women, particularly in rural areas, play a vital role in food security and waste reduction through their involvement in food production, processing, storage, and household consumption. They reduce waste through proper storage, reuse of leftovers, informed purchasing, and participation in community initiatives such as food donation, composting, and waste segregation. Despite their importance, women often face limitations in decision-making related to food waste management. In Iran, rural women contribute significantly to food preservation using traditional methods such as drying, pickling, and salting, as well as through small-scale businesses that reuse surplus food. Nevertheless, food waste remains a major challenge, especially for staple foods like bread, rice, fruits, and vegetables. In Golestan province, considerable agricultural waste occurs annually, though official data for Aq Qala County are lacking. Empowering rural women through education and resources is therefore essential for reducing household food waste and promoting sustainable consumption.

Methodology

This applied study utilized a non-experimental, causal-comparative survey design. The study population comprised 25,000 rural women in Aq Qala County, with an initial sample size of 160 calculated using Cochran’s formula, later increased to 200 to enhance reliability. To account for socio-economic diversity, the county's districts were stratified, and participants were randomly selected. The research instrument was a structured questionnaire, validated by experts in agricultural management at the University of Tehran. A pre-test involving 30 respondents confirmed the instrument's reliability, with Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.896, 0.773, and 0.915 for the scales measuring knowledge, attitudes, and waste management practices, respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis conducted with SPSS. Household food waste management was defined as actions aimed at reducing, recycling, and reusing wasted food across the stages of supply, preparation, storage, and consumption. Golestan province, where Aq Qala is situated, is primarily reliant on agriculture and animal husbandry, with Aq Qala's economy focused on farming, trade, and handicrafts. The county's main crops include wheat, barley, rice, and oilseeds.

Results and Discussion

This study examined the role of rural women in household-level food waste management. Regression analysis indicated that seven key variables significantly influenced food waste management practices: attitude toward waste reduction (β = 0.467), willingness to learn food processing methods (β = −0.615), awareness of waste reduction techniques (β = 0.410), monthly household expenses (β = 0.296), willingness to adopt waste reduction methods (β = 0.133), proportion of household income allocated to food (β = −0.193), and knowledge of food waste reduction (β = 0.202). These variables accounted for approximately 70% of the variance in food waste management behaviors. These variables were found to influence both the magnitude of food waste and the effectiveness of waste reduction strategies. Among the key findings, awareness of food waste and positive attitudes toward sustainability were critical in reducing waste. Households with better food storage practices and those where women were more willing to learn food processing methods exhibited a significant reduction in waste levels. Moreover, cooking practices, such as preparing meals based on actual needs rather than overpreparing, played a critical role in minimizing waste. Household income and access to information were also significant factors influencing the ability to implement improved food waste management strategies. These findings underscore the importance of educating and empowering rural women in managing food waste, not only through awareness programs but also by providing access to resources that support enhanced storage and cooking practices. Through these interventions, rural households can achieve better food security and contribute to sustainability goals.

Conclusion

This study examined the factors influencing rural women's participation in food waste management and their role in ensuring food security for rural families. The results emphasized the importance of factors such as awareness, attitude, willingness to learn food processing, family income, and knowledge of food waste reduction. Rural women, as key actors in food production and consumption, can play a significant role in reducing waste by improving consumption patterns. Education and empowerment of women in management methods, including food preservation and processing, can improve food security in rural areas. The study suggests using strategies such as leveraging digital platforms for training on waste reduction, smart household economic programs, supporting local startups, and educational workshops on processing and composting. These actions aim to reduce food waste, improve livelihoods, and promote environmental sustainability.

Funding

This research received partial financial support from the University of Tehran.

Author Contributions



The study was conceptualized by Samira Ramyar, Hossein Shabanali Fami and Ali Asadi who also provided oversight for project administration and funding acquisition. The methodology was developed by Samira Ramyar, Hossein Shabanali Fami and Ali Asadi, while the software utilized for data analysis was also implemented by Samira Ramyar. Validation of the findings involved all authors ensuring the robustness of the results. The formal analysis and investigation were conducted by Samira Ramyar, who also managed the resources and data curation essential for the research. The original draft of the manuscript was prepared by Mahsa Motaghed and Hossein Shabanali Fami, followed by comprehensive revision of the manuscript after review. Visualization of the data was performed by Samira Ramyar. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Department of the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran for providing some of required cooperation and assistance.