New Zealand Food Waste Champions 12.3 Charitable Trust (NZFWC 12.3 Trust)

This is a fun and inspiring collab between Canyon Brewing and Wonky Box, who have created Wonky Wheat, a beer crafted with "imperfect" oranges and mandarins rescued from Gisborne's First Fresh. What a great reminder that “ugly” fruit can still shine.  Let’s raise a glass to reducing food waste, one brew at a time! 🍊 #FoodWasteInnovation #WonkyWheat https://lnkd.in/g8fcewu5)

Food waste reduction has again been cited as a key component of the food system transformation required to improve outcomes for both people and the planet. Turning point: Feeding the World Sustainably, published by Deloitte, breaks down the benefits of five system-level solutions to feed the world more sustainably – highlighting enhancing circularity through food waste reduction as one of these. The report makes it very clear that business as usual is untenable. They cite that the food system will need to supply 40% more calories to the global population by 2070 while also reducing environmental impact to alleviate malnutrition and account for the growing global population. “The combined impact of waste inefficiencies across the supply chain not only exacerbates global food insecurity but can also cause the avoidable exhaustion of critical resources.” (p. 41) Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/gBkPAqUQ #foodwaste #foodsystemtransformation

New Zealand has missed a key COP29 opportunity - joining allies in targeting 20% global methane emissions. Last week, 35 nations committed to reduce methane from organic waste. It is concerning that New Zealand, a food-producing nation with a significant methane footprint and commitment to climate change, is absent from this list. Evidently our commitment to climate change has been questioned, seeing NZ drop 7 ranks in an international climate change league table to 41st - we are beginning to see where environmental actions and exportability intersect. How long before we see the repercussions of these kinds of results at home? Reducing methane by diverting organics from landfill is an accessible option that the Government could commit New Zealand to with a clear pathway for success. Industry are on their way, Councils were all but ready, households are changing their behaviour, infrastructure is being built. Methane from food waste in landfills, wastewater and open dumps accounts for 20% of global methane emissions. 20%. Methane is the emergency brake for climate action, making targeted reductions in organic waste methane emissions an urgent priority, alongside that of agriculture. 
I said as much in my letter to our Ministers for Climate, Environment, Trade, Agriculture as well as the spokespeople for the same on the other side of the house. I hope to see New Zealand on this list and on this path, imminently. #COP29 #foodwaste #foodsystem #climate

It is an honour to be included in Sustainable Business Network's Next 95 - a group of inspirational, impactful and influential leaders and projects. I am extremely grateful for the encouragement, support and open doors I have met in my three years in Aotearoa New Zealand which have enabled me to be included in such a list. This nomination is not really mine, nudging a system toward transformation takes the work of many, our collective impact over a short time is tangible and impressive. I am motivated and optimistic, how could you not be with a group such as this transforming the future of our country? I greatly appreciate your mahi Rachel Brown ONZM (She/Her), James Griffin and SBN team - we need celebrations like these to catch our breath and re-energise for the times ahead. I can't acknowledge everyone in this list, a particular shout out to Deborah Manning who has been an incredible supporter of mine since day dot as founding co-chair of our Champions 12.3 group, now Trustee of New Zealand Food Waste Champions 12.3 Charitable Trust (NZFWC 12.3 Trust). Always someone I can lean on no matter how busy her schedule, an inspiration and force. This is just the food section, check them all out here including the showcase and awards event next Wednesday! https://lnkd.in/gJ76P9Vw #system #foodsystem #foodwaste #collaboration

There’s excellent advice for the hospitality sector on minimising food waste in cafes from End Food Waste Australia in their latest Sector Action Plan (SAP). While we hope to see SAP’s underway for key sectors across the value chain in NZ in the future (they’re time and resource intensive), the many similarities in our food system mean until that happens we can (and should) take key learnings from across the ditch.

WRAP UK’s latest report, “Global Action to Drive Food Loss and Waste Reduction,” outlines clear strategies to tackle the global food waste crisis, which contributes 8-10% of greenhouse gas emissions, making it a key driver of climate change. Key insights from the report:   1. Food Waste and Climate Action: Addressing food waste is non-negotiable if we’re serious about achieving climate targets. 2. The Power of Targets: Bold commitments, such as halving food waste by 2030 (UN SDG 12.3), are vital for progress. 3. Scalable Solutions: From improving supply chain efficiencies to changing consumer behaviors, the report offers actionable pathways. 4. Policy Integration: Including food waste in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) can amplify its role as a climate mitigation tool. Collaboration: Success depends on sharing knowledge and innovative solutions across sectors and borders. What’s the opportunity for New Zealand? As a nation that prides itself on world-class food production, New Zealand has a unique chance to be a leader in this space while strengthening our food system and reaping the environmental and economic benefits of reducing food waste. Read what we believe are the priorities for New Zealand when it comes to food waste action as outlined in our briefing to incoming ministers🌱 https://lnkd.in/eRQ7vmuU 🔗 Read WRAP UK’s full report here: WRAP UK Report #FoodWaste #ClimateAction #Sustainability #FoodSystems #NZLeadership

While #COP29 is being dubbed the ‘finance COP’ with a focus on countries putting their money where their mouth is in relation to combatting climate change, food waste reduction continues to be highlighted as a crucial lever in addressing global warming. The recently introduced ‘COP29 Declaration on Reducing Methane from Organic Waste’ is a call to action to cut down methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas (28 times stronger than CO2) emitted from decomposing food and organic waste. The initiative encourages countries to integrate waste management, specifically the reduction of methane emissions from food and organic waste, into their broader national climate policies. The declaration calls on governments, industries, and communities to adopt strategies that include: 🌾 Reducing organic waste through more efficient management and waste prevention, 🌾 Promoting composting and bioenergy as sustainable alternatives, 🌾 Strengthening public-private partnerships to foster sustainable waste management, 🌾 Supporting circular economy principles in climate strategies. The ambitious steps outlined in the letter from the COP29 president @H.E. Mukhtar Babayev are essential for the 1.5°C #climategoal, and for wider sustainability across our #foodsystems. Here in Aotearoa we continue to advocate for #foodwaste to be prioritised in order to realise the emissions reduction opportunities, as well as social and economic benefits. Read more about this in our August 2024 submission on New Zealand’s emission reduction plan.   https://lnkd.in/gehiJVsJ Read the COP29 Declaration on Reducing Methane from Organic Waste here https://lnkd.in/evSqYe5a

Thanks to the New Zealand Food and Grocery Council for the opportunity for Kaitlin Dawson and Juliet Gerrard to speak at their annual conference today in Wellington and share the myriad of economic, environmental, and social opportunities food waste presents to its delegates. Having just finished our second measure in the Kai Commitment programme, it was also an excellent chance to share the progress highlights from our amazing Signatories Fonterra, George Weston Foods, Woolworths New Zealand, Goodman Fielder, Foodstuffs North Island Limited Foodstuffs South Island, A S Wilcox and Sons Ltd, Silver Fern Farms Ltd and Nestlé who are taking a leadership role in food waste action in Aotearoa. We also loved catching up with some Signatories in person today and hearing some of them speak.  We found it really valuable to hear direct feedback from attendees about their food waste journeys within their businesses and the new and often unexpected opportunities they are uncovering.   Food waste needs to be on the agenda of any food or food-related business, so again, thank you, Raewyn Bleakley, Mike Pretty, Cameron Scott and your wider team, for the chance to connect on this important issue. #foodwaste #kaicommitment #NZFGC

Collaboration thrives on strong relationships, and at Kai Commitment, we’re always finding ways to bring our signatory team members together. Yesterday, we spent a meaningful afternoon with some of our Kai Commitment team members, packing boxes for the Auckland City Mission. It was incredible to see how, even in a setting like this, planning and a collaborative spirit made all the difference. Together, we packed over 7 pallets! A big thank you to New Zealand Food Network for hosting us! The work you do to prevent food from going to waste and ensuring it reaches those in need is so important and it was great to be able to support it. Amavi Mey Mouna Neyogi Michelle Kruger Dr Andrew Prest Sarah McMath Alexandria Gifford-Farry

How do we ensure our growers keep growing food for New Zealanders and the world, especially in tough times? Primary producers are the backbone of the food chain, facing seasonal, market, and climate challenges to provide high-quality produce. Recent years have been particularly hard, with disruptions from Covid, floods, supply chain vulnerability and Cyclone Gabrielle, followed by a bumper crop this year leading to low prices (e.g., onions at 80 cents/kg, broccoli under $2). This financial squeeze makes it harder to sustain operations. We know that 20% food loss on farms is 'normal'. I wonder if there is a new normal we can create? We believe that everyone across and adjacent to the food value chain has a responsibility to make sure growing good quality food in healthy soils is viable. One way New Zealand Food Waste Champions 12.3 Charitable Trust (NZFWC 12.3 Trust) can add value is by bringing together stakeholders who have a role in influencing conditions and outcomes for growers and getting this food to people.    We were pleased to host Minister Andrew Hoggard in the premium growing region of Pukekohe, to showcase the realities of growing staple crops like potatoes, onions, and carrots. Alongside viewing what the stark reality of 20% loss looks and feels like, the visit highlighted innovative projects aimed at reducing food waste and creating more stability for the sector. Particularly a project to process surplus produce into high-value powders and concentrates with the aim of remunerating growers. This promising initiative, spearheaded by Kai Commitment Signatory, AS Wilcox and supported to become a regional opportunity by Christina Rogstad and the Franklin Local Board, has great potential to scale across other regions. Thanks to Jivan Produce, Masters Produce, Onions New Zealand, AS Wilcox, and Franklin Local Board for sharing your knowledge and supporting this exciting sector-driven innovation. Dr Andrew Prest Christina Rogstad Angela Fulljames Chris Morgan (for context, 1 tonne of onions in this picture were destined to be dumped, joining 30 tonnes earlier in the week, the Agria potatoes bagged in crates were returned due to a few sprouts) #foodwaste #farmloss #foodsystem #collaboration