While the Bread Festival has just ended by highlighting the know-how of bakers, a study by the world leader in the fight against food waste, Too Good To Go, recalls a paradox: bread, emblematic food of the daily life of the French, remains one of the most waste. Listed as a World Heritage Site of UNESCO, the wand is a symbol of the French art of living, and 62%choose it, first in its tradition form (39%), if not in a classic version (23%). In general, buyers demand it well cooked. Essential purchase, the wand is also a pleasure to crack its crust (25%) or to melt its crumb (22%) while 17%reserve the crown.
Special breads are the third choice (21%), but ultimately the weekly bread purchase concerns almost all French people (96%). He especially escorts meals, especially cheese, sauce dishes, tartinades and obviously stands out as a base for sandwiches. Only 20% of consumers share their taste for natural bread.
Despite this attachment, and this anchoring in culinary traditions, loaves and other crusts pay the price for a substantial waste. Over 60% of French people say they throw it away. For 41% of them, it is the equivalent of half a twin-bodied per month which goes to the trash. Particular sign of this waste, it is young people aged 18 to 34 who are the first concerned, with 68% who throw each year. According to Toogood to Go, this bad mania tends to decrease with age (44% of 55 years and over).
The reason for this mess is surprising to say the least: 68% say they don’t like dry or stunned bread. The whole problem comes from the lack of forecast since 58% say they buy too much while respondents to this study also reveal that they do not know how to keep it. It must be said that freezing of bread is not consensus. Only 59% keep it in this way while only 36% reuse it in revenue.
*This study was carried out by Appinio in March 2025 with a sample of 1,000 respondents.