International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, established by the United Nations and the European Commission, is celebrated annually on 29 September. This important day aims to raise global awareness of the need to reduce food loss and waste, while promoting sustainable practices in food production and consumption.
The Meaning of the Day
Food waste is one of the most critical challenges facing humanity today. According to the United Nations, about a third of the food produced worldwide each year is lost or wasted. This amount corresponds to about 1.3 billion tons of food, worth about 940 billion dollars.
The effects of this waste are multidimensional and negatively affect both the economy and the environment. Food production and disposal are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, waste of water resources and loss of biodiversity. In addition, food waste exacerbates food insecurity, as millions of people worldwide suffer from hunger and malnutrition.
Reducing food loss and waste will help transform our food system in the following ways:
- will reduce its environmental and climate impacts
- will increase food availability, contributing to food security
- will develop resilience
More data from the European Commission:
- Food waste has a massive impact on the environment, accounting for around 16% of greenhouse gas emissions from the EU food system. Investing in the circular economy to reduce food loss and waste can help mitigate gas emissions of the greenhouse and in the development of resilience.
- The largest percentage of food waste comes from households. A crucial step is to make all citizens aware of the problem and their contribution to effective management.
- Food loss and waste lead to significant economic losses, impacting businesses and consumers. By reducing food waste we can improve food security, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save money and resources that would otherwise be wasted.
Intercatering’s Commitment against Food Waste
At Intercatering, our commitment to reducing food waste is unwavering and our concern is ongoing. Understanding the responsibility, we have towards society and the environment, we apply sustainable practices at every stage of our operation aiming to minimize food loss and waste.
In addition, we work with local organizations and initiatives to support the redistribution of surplus food to people in need. We educate our staff and inform our customers about the importance of reducing food waste by promoting conscious consumption and storage.
International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste is a reminder that tackling food waste is an issue that concerns us all. With concerted efforts and collective action, we can ensure a sustainable and fair food system for the future. At Intercatering, we are committed to continuing to work in this direction.
