Yesterday, we reported on the United Nations’ new index regarding food waste internationally.
The Food Waste Index Report said households and businesses disposed of more than one trillion dollars’ worth of food, one billion meals daily in 2022. Considering that 780 million people are going hungry, it’s important to note which countries are actively looking to decrease their food waste.
Food waste is also a known contributor to climate change. With approximately 10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions coming from wasted food, it has been identified as a key action in fighting global warming.
Now, New Zealand changemakers are hitting back, looking to mobilise the country to eliminate food waste.
Their Message
Per spokespeople from Aotearoa Food Rescue Alliance (AFRA) and New Zealand Food Waste Champions (NZFWC), two organisations leading food waste reduction in Aotearoa, the Food Waste Index Report is a stark reminder of the scale and impact of food waste and the need for deliberate and coordinated action.
Iain Lees-Galloway, the interim general manager of the Aotearoa Food Rescue Alliance, says, “Our nation produces enough food to feed 40 million people, yet every day, one in five children are living in households without enough food.”
“Food waste is solvable and delivers benefits to communities, business and our environment, but requires committed collaboration across the food supply chain,” said Kaitlin Dawson, Executive Director of New Zealand Food Waste Champions (NZFWC), who are working with government and industry to reduce food waste.
“There’s been a significant increase in awareness of food waste and its impacts, but we need government, industry and community providers to work together to turn that awareness into action.”
Kai Commitment
Dawson says it’s reassuring that the index report identifies public-private partnerships as key initiatives to reduce food waste with the Kai Commitment voluntary agreement, an initiative of NZFWC, counting some of New Zealand’s largest food businesses as signatories, including Goodman Fielder, Fonterra, Foodstuffs, Woolworths NZ, and Silver Fern Farms.
“Through Kai Commitment, we are working closely with our partners to reduce food waste within their operations and across the supply chain. A key part of our work is fostering collaboration across industry and sharing of best practices,” she says.
As part of the Kai Commitment, businesses are working to understand, manage, reduce, and report their food waste so consumers can be confident that these businesses are making tangible progress.
Visit the Kai Commitment website here.
Food Rescue
While initiatives like Kai Commitment help prevent unnecessary surplus, food rescue is making an immediate impact by preventing the quality surplus food that currently exists from going to waste while playing a critical role in feeding those facing food insecurity.
Per Lees-Galloway, demand for food rescue services is higher than ever as the cost of living puts families under increasing pressure.
“Food rescue provides a social solution to an environmental problem, ensuring as much surplus as possible gets used as intended, feeding people, not landfill.
“Every day, our 35 members rescue over 20 tonnes of food from hundreds of businesses across New Zealand.
“Much of this food is made up of fresh produce like fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy that goes into the food parcels people collect at food banks. That helps improve the nutritional value and quality of food relief.
“This is particularly important at a time when food banks are becoming inundated by the need for quality, nutritious food.
“The food system is complex, with thousands of businesses interacting with each other. A suite of initiatives is needed to deal with surplus and waste at all points in the system.
“We are working closely to coordinate our efforts with organisations like New Zealand Food Waste Champions 12.3, New Zealand Food Network and Foodprint. We support one another so we can each play our part as effectively as possible,” Lees-Galloway said.
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