The world stands together on the first ever International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
In the middle of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the International Day of Awareness of Food loss and Waste is a wake-up-call for the world to come up with solutions on how we can ensure a sustainable production and consumption of food for a growing population.
Today marks the first ever International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste. In 2019, the 74th UN General Assembly designated the 29th September to be the International Day of Awareness. The purpose is to highlight the crucial task to halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses by 2030.
A good climate and business model
When food is lost or wasted, it’s not only the end product that is wasted, but also all the resources that went into producing the food. This is everything from labour and land, to energy, water and capital used in production.
Globally, one third of all food is lost or wasted. This equals 1.6 billion tons of food and a worth of approximately $1.2 trillion according to Boston Consulting Group’s report. Therefore, reducing food loss and waste would not only be a necessary step towards sustainable development, but also a good business model. Right now, 14% of food produced is already lost between harvest and retail. If solutions are found to ensure the quality, longevity and distribution of food, companies would make more profit, climate change would be slowed down and more people fed.
Knowledge and innovation are key to prevent food loss and waste
If we are to reduce the amount of food being lost or wasted, everybody from food manufacturers, to food supply chain holders, to food industries, retailers and consumers need to work together and share their knowledge. FAO for example, have created a virtual event on this day, with focus on the solutions as well as the required actions to meet the Sustainable Development Goal target 12.3.
Food loss and waste is also high on Denmark’s agenda and according to Minister of Food, Mogens Jensen, it should be even higher. Therefore, from this year onwards, September 29th has also been designated as Denmark’s official food waste day. During the day, a large number of stakeholders will mark the day by focusing on how consumers and professionals can help reduce food loss and waste.
Be inspired by Danish solutions on how to reduce food loss and waste throughout the value chain in the case collection.