IDAFLW 2023 and its origins

With the UN Resolution, adopted by the General Assembly on 19 December 2019, the United Nations  designated 29 September as the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW). The day is co-convened by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the day's events are led jointly by the two organisations.

The observance of such a day should contribute significantly to raising awareness of the importance of the problem and its possible solutions at all levels and to promote global efforts and collective action towards meeting the SDG target 12.3 - halving per-capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reducing food losses along production and supply chains.

For this year's edition, FAO and UNEP issued a call to action for public and private entities from across the food system and consumers to take action to reduce food loss and waste (FLW) to support the transformation of agrifood systems and contribute to the achievement of the 2030 agenda.

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Currently, many of the world’s agrifood systems are unsustainable, as they degrade soils, contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and loss of biodiversity, and consume groundwater. They are also vulnerable to climate change and other shocks, partly because of the impact on the environment.

Reducing food loss and waste can be the game changer in the transformation of agrifood systems - increasing the food availability, improving food security, contributing to healthy diets, and building resilience. Food loss and food waste reduction is crucial for the climate strategy through reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). It can help conserving and protecting our ecosystems and natural resources upon which the future of food depends.

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EU Platform on Food Loss and Waste

 

An estimated 20% of the total food produced each year is lost or wasted in the EU, costing us approximately € 143 billion.

The EU and its Member States are committed to meeting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.3 to halve per capita food waste at the retail and consumer level by 2030, and reduce food losses along the food production and supply chains.

In order to support achievement of the SDG 12.3 global target and maximise the contribution of all actors, the EU Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste was established in 2016, bringing together EU institutions, experts from the EU countries and relevant stakeholders. The Platform aims to support all actors in defining measures to prevent food waste; sharing best practice; and evaluating progress made over time. It provides information and guidance for various groups of interest: professionals, academia, all key players from public and private sector.

How to get 'zero waste'?

But it is us who generate more than half of the total food waste in the EU (55% or over 31 million tonnes) with 71% of food waste arising at household, food service and retail (Eurostat, 2022)!

We can all take action by changing the way we shop, cook, and plan our meals to avoid wasting food, money, and resources.

Here you can find some hints and tips how to contribute to the overall food waste reduction:

Tips and hints from our colleagues

We have asked our young colleagues from EU Member states missions in Rome to share with us their ideas on how to reduce food waste in our daily lives.

Charlotte Winkler from Germany has got quite a few of them:

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Reduce your 'personal' food waste

Buy only the food you need, learn to love imperfect fruit and veg, keep your portions realistic, be mindful of expiration dates, store food wisely, donate excess and turn leftover food into the next day’s meals. When we waste food, all the resources used for growing, processing, transporting and marketing that food are wasted too. Food is so much more than what is on our plates.

Support your local food producers

Chefs get awards, stars and recognition for their creations. But what about our farmers? Without them, we wouldn’t have the fresh food we need on a daily basis and the food to make any of our cherished dishes. Aren’t farmers the real heroes? Shop at your local markets and get to know your farmers. Giving them your business is giving them your recognition and respect.

Learn where food comes from

Most of us know that chicken wings or fruit baskets do not originate from a supermarket. But it is becoming less obvious when we start thinking if kiwis come from trees or bushes? Are tomatoes a fruit or vegetable? By learning more about our food, where it comes from, when it is in season and what it takes to produce it, we grow in our knowledge of and respect for what we are eating.

Appreciate the workmanship in producing food

Agriculture isn’t just work, it is art. There is so much that goes into making our food. It takes seeds and soil, water and work, protection and patience. Did you know that it takes about 50 litres of water to produce one orange? Our food choices affect the health of our planet and our future of food. When you eat, you are taking in natural resources and the hard work of the farmers, bees, harvesters and others who got the food to your plate. Appreciate food like you would a piece of art.

Page Updated:
06.03.2023