As global hunger rates continue to rise, the issue of food loss and waste becomes more urgent than ever. In 2024, the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste serves as an important reminder of the critical need to address this challenge, emphasizing the importance of funding measures to reduce food waste.
Food waste not only jeopardizes global food security but also plays a significant role in undermining the sustainability of our food systems, contributing to environmental degradation and climate change, according to the United Nations.
Recent estimates suggest that around 13.2 percent of produced food is lost between harvest and sale. Additionally, about 19 percent of the world’s total food production is wasted at the household, hospitality, and retail levels. This means that every day, tons of edible food are lost or thrown away while millions of people go hungry—an obvious contradiction that points to inefficiencies in current food systems.
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The consequences of food loss and waste extend far beyond the discarded food itself. When food is wasted, all the resources invested in its production—such as water, land, energy, labor, and capital—are also squandered. This not only undermines the sustainability of agricultural systems but also exacerbates environmental problems. Food waste in landfills generates greenhouse gas emissions, significantly contributing to climate change.
“People are clearing forests and draining wetlands to obtain more arable land and produce even more food, while forests and wetlands are the largest absorbers of carbon dioxide. Consequently, we have less clean air. Cleared lands are further treated with substances to boost yields, which further pollutes both soil and water. The energy expenditure in food processing and consumption is immense, and at the end of it all, we throw away 40 percent of food. That’s why it’s important not to waste food,” says Aleksandra Ugarković from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF Adria) for Energetski portal.
She adds that WWF was one of the first organizations to participate in the “Shared Fridge” concept, whose idea was for anyone to leave food in refrigerators placed in public locations for those who need it the most. As for food banks, it’s a much broader concept, and WWF supports any initiative that can lead to the sustainability of such projects, our interlocutor notes.
“When it comes to food banks, the core issue lies in regulations that prevent many organizations and companies from easily and quickly donating food and groceries. Put simply, it is more expensive to donate food than to throw it away. We sincerely believe that positive changes will occur soon. If, for example, taxes on food donations were reduced, food waste could be significantly minimized,” says Ugarković.
The United Nations emphasizes that reducing food loss and waste requires both global and local action. Adopting innovative technologies and solutions, such as surplus food marketing platforms, mobile food processing machines, and better food quality management practices, can help minimize waste.
The urgency of addressing food loss and waste is further underscored by the approaching deadline to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, particularly Goal 12.3, which aims to halve global food waste per capita at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains.
It is crucial to ensure that the food we produce reaches those who need it most, while also preserving the planet’s resources. This International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste 2024 calls on everyone—governments, businesses, and individuals—to take immediate action and contribute to a more sustainable future for people and the planet.
