FAO and World Union of Wholesale Markets team up to combat food loss and waste

FAO and the World Union of Wholesale Markets (WUWM) have agreed to renew and strengthen their partnership with an eye to globally reducing food loss and waste and assure supplies of healthy and fresh food in an increasingly urbanized world.

The WUWM is a non-profit association representing more than 160 wholesale markets from every continent that seeks to ensure that wholesale and retail markets – especially for fresh produce – are recognized for their important role in local, national and international food distribution chains, food safety and the support of small businesses.

The new three-year pact establishes a framework for supporting FAO’s initiatives and programmes for food loss and waste reduction as well as improving food markets and distribution systems.

“Wholesale markets are critical for producers and consumers. For producers, they allow producers to aggregate what they produce and increase their access to markets and assure standards and food safety. For consumers, they provide access to diversified diets at affordable prices. Moreover, wholesale markets are the last phase in the chain of activities where food losses could occur so they are central in reducing them said Máximo Torero Cullen, FAO Assistant Director-General, Economic and Social Development Department. “So we need to find ways to work together.”

Planned areas of collaboration between FAO and WUWM include knowledge sharing, advocacy and capacity development to reduce food loss and waste in food markets and in distribution systems.

The cooperation will contribute to FAO’s development of a Code of Conduct regarding Food Loss and Waste – a subject central to this year’s State of Food and Agriculture report.

Original source: FAO
Published on 22 October 2019