29 September will mark the United Nation’s sixth annual International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, which aims to reduce the problem by promoting awareness and collective action.
Pubs and other businesses in the food industry are invited to take part in this critical campaign.
United Nations research shows that globally there is a loss of around 13.2 percent of food produced, between harvest and retail, while around 19 percent of total global food production is collectively wasted in the food service industry, households and retail.
Food loss and waste undermine food system sustainability, wasting resources, labour and capital, and contributing to climate change. It can also negatively impact the security and availability of food, while contributing to increasing food costs.
Reducing food loss and waste is part of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to “halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains” – by 2030.
Urgent and increased action is required, yet businesses that look to finding new solutions to enable sustainable consumption do stand to benefit.
According to Project Drawdown, reducing food waste is the most achievable and cost effective climate solution.
Pubs are also well placed to empower consumers via education and awareness-raising campaigns and can get involved in several ways.
A virtual event will be held via Zoom on 29 September (9:30pm AEST), while a food waste prevention course is available online.
A simple guide to getting involved, including actionable steps along with social media and other digital tools, has also been made available.
