What is food waste?
...
Food waste is simply food intended for human consumption, but ultimately not used for that purpose. Think of some residue of boiled rice or an apple thrown away (the disposal of peels and apple cores is organic waste and not food waste).
Food waste begins early on in the chain: 39% of all food waste occurs at the producer’s and so never reaches the supermarket or catering industry. By "producer" we mean all farmers, growers, factories, product vendors and brokers. Products are discarded by the producer because of harvest losses, surpluses or a different size or appearance. Customers want the most perfect looking products. Supermarkets are responsible for about 5% of all food waste. The causes are, for example, estimates of supply and demand (too many products purchased) or because the supermarket wants to keep its quality requirements high. Consumers often leave that small zucchini or cauliflower with a spot on the shelf.
...
Bringing back in the food chain edible waste such as deformed vegetables, apps that reduce waste in the chain and restaurants that cook with vegetables and fruit surpluses from supermarkets.
Who are the main initiators?
Public sector, government and civil society (environmental) organisatie sorganizations
For further reading:
https://www.milieucentraal.nl/milieubewust-eten/voorkom-voedselverspilling/
http://www.voedingscentrum.nl/en/pers/persmappen/voedselverspilling.aspx
Go back to Theme G: Food Theme Events