2021-2026
In 2011, FAO estimated that one third of all food produced globally goes to waste. A new report by WWF estimates that global waste may be closer to 40 percent, a result of more thorough measurement of on-farm losses. Meanwhile, 821 million people are going hungry.
In South Africa, 10.3 million metric tons of food goes to waste each year (about one third of all food produced), 80 percent of which is considered edible. These food losses are largely due to a poorly integrated South African food chain, which lacks collaboration on improved food utilization and generates waste in almost all of its agents and phases.
This excessive waste is in stark contrast to the evidence that millions of South Africans are hungry, in both urban and rural areas. Successfully reducing Food Loss and Waste (FLW) is an opportunity to mitigate severe localized food insecurity and improve the health and wellbeing of all South Africans, but especially the most marginalized in society such as women, youth and children.
The impacts of COVID-19 –- including significant food system disruptions and increased food insecurity –- have put additional pressure on governments, industry and civil society to address supply chain losses, food insecurity, food distribution and value-add processing.
Reducing food loss and waste to promote inclusive growth that respects the environment
The project aims at directly contributing towards increasing food and income security in the context of COVID-19, reducing natural resource waste, reducing carbon emissions, improving the livelihoods of food producers, and providing financial benefits for other food supply chain actors. It aims to make FLW socially unacceptable, and strives to bring currently marginalized smallholder farming communities into the mainstream economy in an ethically and environmentally responsible way. To reach this goal, a set of ambitious and explicit food loss and waste reduction targets aligned with SDG 12.3 will be set, along with a FLW measurement and monitoring system with key actors across the food value chain. FLW mitigation and reduction strategies and policies will be supported and implemented.
FAO “4 Betters” Strategic Framework
Better Nutrition
Sustainable Development Goals