Today marks the UN's International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste.
Since we started REDUCED in 2020 a lot has happened within this area.
🇪🇺 The European Commission has proposed legally binding food waste reduction targets for food manufactures and processors.
🇩🇰 Upcycling has grown significantly in the Danish food industry with "new" companies like Wasted ApS, endless food co and Matr Foods making a real dent in the space.
🌐 Flavours houses and food ingredient providers Symrise AG, Givaudan, IFF and Kerry has all created commercial products and innovation initiatives focussing purely on upcycling within food applications.
🌊 And at REDUCED we are on track to go beyond processing 50 tons upcycled raw material this year (if everything goes as planned)!
But there is also a need for change.
Up to 10% of global green house gas emissions result from food loss and waste. This number is absolutely insane.
Some points to reducing food loss and waste as the single-best strategy for reducing emissions and fighting the climate crisis (Project Drawdown, 2024), and something really do need to happen.
Earlier this week i spoke with FødevareWatch about the benefits of having upcycled food certificates as a way to create standardisation and consumer awareness(https://lnkd.in/dembgxht).
Certificates wont make the whole difference, but a creating a massive wave of different initiatives, products, binding legal requirements, new companies and innovation can do.
And all of this starts with awareness.
When I pitch, I want to start with something that catches people's attention (awareness). The picture below is a part of the first slide from all of our investor decks.
We normally have the audience's attention after showing this, and my hope is that even more people will pay attention to food loss and waste reduction in the future - because we need to.
Big applause to everyone who is doing something within this space and have a great food loss and waste awareness Sunday! 🏆
Program Manager | Sustainability Expert | ESG Advisor | Strategic Leader | Resilience Specialist
1moWhat an inspiring showcase at the 2024 World Food Forum! 🌍✨ It's amazing to see diverse sectors coming together for a common goal: a world where no one faces hunger. This commitment to sustainable food systems is crucial for the future. Excited to see how we can all contribute to this transformative journey! Let’s keep pushing for a better food future together! 🌱💪 #WorldFoodForum #SustainableFuture