The case of Reducing Food Loss & WasteEngaging Consumers for Change

Food2030: Consumers and Global Food Systems

Toine Timmermans, Brussels, 11 October 2016

Some relevant trends in the Food world& drivers for the FLW issue

The challenge of overpopulation - 9.6 bln people in 2050 -60% more food production globally in 2050

The challenge of urbanisation - in 2050 - 70% of population is living in urban areas

● Equivalent of building a new city for one million people every week in the next 35 years

The challenge of beating malnourishment

Changing diets

Increase in obesitas & chronic diseases

Food loss & waste – A GLOBAL challenge

% waste

Steps in food

chain

Low income

countries

High/medium

income

countries

Source: FAO, 2011 (modified)

European & global targets & initiatives

SDG 12.3:

By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and

consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply

chains, including post-harvest losses

EC Circular Economy Package Target = SDG 12.3

REFRESH is funded by the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme of the European Union under Grant Agreement no. 641933. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of REFRESH and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union

Resource Efficient Food and dRink for

the Entire Supply cHain (2015 – 2019)

26 partners

Multi stakeholder platforms: the

Netherlands, Germany, Spain,

Hungary, China

www.eu-refresh.org

The REFRESH Project

A central ambition of the REFRESH project is to develop a ‘Framework of Action’ model that is based on strategic agreements across all stages of the supply chain (backed by Governments), delivered through collaborative working and supported by evidence-based tools to allow targeted, cost effective interventions.

Success will support transformation towards a more sustainable food system, based on Circular Economy principles, benefitting Europe’s economy, environment and society.

CGIAR – CCAFS Program Reducing FLW

New program in the context of Climate Change

Agriculture and Food Security (2016 – 2022)

2016 Inception stage

2017 Develop new Public-private Partnerships

CGIAR – CCAFS Program Reducing FLW

The CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) is carried out with support from CGIAR Fund Donors and through bilateral funding agreements. For details please visit https://ccafs.cgiar.org/donors.

In developed countries about 45-50% of food waste occurs at

household level

Growing awareness among consumers, also supported by awareness

raising events (e.g. DamnFoodWaste, Feeding5000,

UnitedAgainstFoodwaste)

Campaigns can work (e.g. LoveFoodHateWaste, ForMat), impact

most likely higher when combined with specific interventions

Money saving & moral aspect around food waste are the main

drivers for consumers

Key lessons and challenges to share on

consumer behaviour

Some evidence for successful consumer driven approaches:

● Role of education: the value of food – short & longer term impacts

● Food battle shows, 30-40% saving is “quick win”: planning, tailor-made cooking, left-overs, date labels

● Supported by ICT-tools, planning, smart fridge, smart labels, etc.

Business opportunities (shelf life, brand value, packaging, new

product innovation, communication & marketing)

Public private models & voluntary agreements for integral solutions

Key lessons and challenges to share on

consumer behaviour

Future food systems design from a circular economy perspective

Linking global challenges (SDG 12.3) to national/regional

“ecosystems”. Multi-stakeholderplatform: business, government,

science/innovation, civil society.

Towards a more personalised and customised food supply chain

(with >50% less food waste) -> resilient & responsive

Consumer at the central point from different roles (consumer

understanding, consumer interaction/dialogue/testing, empowered &

engaged consumer)

Recommendations