Knowledge for Action: the launch of FAO Food Loss App (FLAPP)

On International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, the spotlight shines on the launch of the FAO Food Loss App (FLAPP), a groundbreaking initiative in the global battle against food loss and waste. 

As highlighted by Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) during the event hosted at FAO Headquarters on 29 September 2023, “Reducing food loss and waste represents a triple win opportunity with immediate positive impact on food security, climate benefits, and increased availability of nutritious food while improving the overall sustainability of agrifood systems”.

FAO and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report that over 13 percent of food produced globally is lost in the supply chain after harvest and before reaching retail, with an additional 17 percent wasted in households, food services, and retail. Simultaneously, access to healthy diets remains a challenge, with an estimate between 691 and 738 million people facing hunger in 2022. These startling statistics underscore the urgency of addressing the issue of food loss and waste.

In a groundbreaking development, the FAO has taken a bold step forward by introducing the FLAPP. This app employs rigorous research, based on science, and a proven new methodology based on the collection of measurement surveys to measure food loss levels quickly. By providing accessible information on food loss through video advisories, the FLAPP empowers farmers, companies, producer associations, and cooperatives to make informed decisions, providing evidence-based solutions. Using crowd-sourced data from farmers, the app enhances FAO’s ability to analyze where and why food loss occurs at the farm level, to help design targeted policies.

Resonating the words of Màximo Torero, FAO Chief Economist, “we need to bring solutions that are context specific and that especially target the problems across the value chain, and not come up with blind solutions that do not take into account the problems that the farmers are facing”. 

Currently reporting on 10 countries and 7 commodities, this dynamic app, with adaptive content, is expected to expand its coverage, both in terms of countries and commodities, as the users base grows, becoming more specific and comprehensive to better serve the local needs and fill the identified gaps.

A clear example of knowledge for action, the FLAPP represents a significant step forward in the global fight against food loss and waste, empowering stakeholders in agriculture to address this critical issue with actionable results and promoting sustainability by reducing resource waste and environmental impact. 

Watch the presentation video of the FAO Food Loss App 

Watch the experts' interview

Check the FLAPP App here