By The fight against food waste in Australia has gained a new momentum, as two of the key organisations in this field have merged to form a unified brand: End Food Waste Australia. The new entity combines the expertise and resources of the Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre (FFW CRC) and Stop Food Waste Australia (SFWA), which have been working together for the past five years to reduce food waste across the supply chain and the society.
End Food Waste Australia aims to halve food waste in Australia by 2030, in line with the National Food Waste Strategy and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The new brand will also represent Australia in the global network of Champions 12.3, a coalition of leaders from governments, businesses, and civil society who are committed to accelerating progress towards the UN target of halving food waste and reducing food loss by 2030.
The new entity’s CEO, Dr Steven Lapidge, said that the merger will create a more cohesive and effective organisation, with a clear vision and mission. He said that End Food Waste Australia will continue to deliver the research and innovation projects of the FFW CRC, as well as the education and engagement programs of the SFWA. He also said that the new brand will enhance the communication and collaboration with the stakeholders and the public, and will leverage the existing partnerships and networks.
Food waste is a pressing environmental, economic and social issue
Food waste is one of the most pressing issues of our time, as it has significant impacts on the environment, the economy and the society. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, about one-third of all food produced in the world is lost or wasted, which amounts to about 1.3 billion tonnes per year. This causes a huge waste of resources, such as land, water, energy and labour, and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, climate change, biodiversity loss and soil degradation.
Food waste also represents a huge economic loss, as it costs the global economy about US$940 billion per year, according to the World Resources Institute. In Australia, food waste costs the economy about AU$20 billion per year, according to the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. This includes the costs of producing, transporting, storing and disposing of food that is not consumed, as well as the lost value of the food that could have been used for other purposes.
Food waste also has social and ethical implications, as it affects food security, nutrition and health. While millions of people around the world suffer from hunger and malnutrition, a large amount of food is thrown away or spoiled. In Australia, about 7.3 million tonnes of food are wasted every year, which is equivalent to about 300 kg per person. This means that Australians waste about one-fifth of the food they buy, while about 5% of the population experiences food insecurity at some point in a year, according to Foodbank Australia.
End Food Waste Australia offers solutions and opportunities
End Food Waste Australia offers a range of solutions and opportunities to address the food waste challenge in Australia, and to create a more sustainable and circular food system. The new entity builds on the achievements and learnings of the FFW CRC and the SFWA, which have delivered various research and innovation projects, education and engagement programs, and policy and advocacy initiatives.
Some of the key projects and programs of End Food Waste Australia include:
- Transform: A program that supports the development and commercialisation of technologies and products that can transform unavoidable food waste into new resources, such as biogas, fertilisers, animal feed, chemicals and packaging materials.
- Measure: A program that provides tools and methods to measure and monitor food waste across the supply chain, and to identify the hotspots and opportunities for reduction and prevention.
- Engage: A program that engages and educates consumers, businesses and communities on the causes and impacts of food waste, and on the actions and behaviours that can reduce and prevent food waste at home and at work.
- Reduce: A program that supports the implementation of best practices and solutions to reduce food waste at the source, such as improving food production, processing, packaging, storage, distribution and retailing.
- Rescue: A program that facilitates the redistribution and donation of surplus and edible food to people in need, through partnerships with food rescue organisations, charities and social enterprises.
- Policy: A program that informs and influences the development and implementation of policies and regulations that can enable and support food waste reduction and prevention, at the local, state and national levels.
End Food Waste Australia invites collaboration and participation
End Food Waste Australia invites collaboration and participation from all stakeholders and sectors who are interested and involved in the food waste issue, and who share the vision and mission of the new entity. The new brand welcomes new members, partners, investors, supporters and volunteers who can contribute to the food waste reduction and prevention efforts in Australia, and who can benefit from the solutions and opportunities offered by End Food Waste Australia.
End Food Waste Australia also invites feedback and input from the public and the media, and encourages them to follow and engage with the new brand on its website and social media channels. The new entity aims to raise awareness and understanding of the food waste issue, and to inspire and empower action and change among the Australian society.
End Food Waste Australia is a new brand that represents the merger of the Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre and Stop Food Waste Australia, two of the key organisations spearheading the Australian fight to end food waste. The new entity aims to halve food waste in Australia by 2030, in line with the National Food Waste Strategy and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. End Food Waste Australia offers a range of solutions and opportunities to address the food waste challenge in Australia, and to create a more sustainable and circular food system. End Food Waste Australia invites collaboration and participation from all stakeholders and sectors who are interested and involved in the food waste issue, and who share the vision and mission of the new entity.
Category: Environment
Meta Description: End Food Waste Australia is a new brand that aims to halve food waste in Australia by 2030, and to offer solutions and opportunities to create a sustainable food system.
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