Sustainable food systems do not waste food. In Europe, most countries work collectively through the EU towards achieving a circular process which minimises or eliminates food loss and waste (FLW). EU techniques for managing FLW support global ambitions to create sustainable food systems. Such European experience offers value for sharing. It can be useful and adaptable in different contexts for countries at different stages in development transitions.
Practical EU approaches operate at policy levels which direct funding programmes that support a diverse mix of different FLW projects throughout food supply chains. This development framework of policies, programmes, and projects includes targeting tailored inter-dependent approaches. Joined-up planning promotes affordable effective and sustainable good practices for both food production and food consumption. An EU Platform on FLW and its Thematic sub-groups present strong demonstration value with relevance on a global level for implementing localised FLW action.
Evidence-led action is a key tip from Europe with EU data showing that farms on average produce less than 10% of Europe’s food waste, but consumers can create more than 50% of all food waste. This data-driven thinking highlights where particular public/donor resources can be used to fill service gaps supporting specific needs. EU public funding for food producers can be used to help private firms invest in improved productivity processes that reuse and/or reduce waste. Other EU-funded programmes can support information projects involving local, regional, national and transnational campaigning promoting better FLW reduction.
See also: Millions of tons of aquatic food are wasted annually – analysis
Practical EU FLW action from companies and citizens is the same for everywhere in the world. Citizens and businesses need to know why and how to reduce FLW. This includes following and understanding market trends guiding food policy experts to spotlight urgent needs for food reformulation because of BMI, emissions, welfare, and lab meat. Such factors are combining to indicate a foreboding future for livestock farming and FLW approaches are needed that predict where future FLW is likely to exist.
Europe’s food companies are world leaders in their sector. This accolade reinforces the market position of EU expertise in WTO terms and the EU countries enjoy a long history as pioneers of commercially-efficient globalised food supplies.
Cooperation within food value chains is possibly considered the most important and advantageous practical tip that EU food policy promotes for reducing FLW (and achieving sustainable food systems overall). Industry-led tips are well-researched and communicated as opportunities rather than threats.
Industry lobby groups and representatives like farming bodies or food processors and retailers all acknowledge that FLW can be reduced. EU agricultural advisors for instance promote positions that: “nothing of value should be discarded without reason”; and “food waste reduction is not only a social and environmental responsibility, but also an economic opportunity.”
European food & drink firms now proactively promote their appreciation that “every crumb counts” in tackling FLW. They advise their peers through networking and awareness-raising messaging for the EU food supply sector that “when it isn’t possible to avoid food surpluses and redirect them to humans, they should be redirected to feed animals, then for industrial use, soil enrichment, or generating renewable energy.”
Interesting further reading from the EU on this topic include:
- Funding areas identified as having high game-changing impacts for FLW prevention including modernising food supply chains to be more circular
- Reducing confusion risks about ‘Best before’ versus ‘Use by’ dates (food may still be safe to eat after the ‘Best before’ date, whereas the ‘Use by’ date defines when a food product is no longer safe to eat).
- Use social media in food firm campaigning to reach and target required audiences with tailored-made FLW advice.