2024 Food loss and waste masterclass: the basics

Food loss and waste (FLW) is a global challenge of great significance with numerous far-reaching social, environmental and economic consequences on the planet, on the people and on the overall sustainability of food systems. It is currently estimated that 13 percent of the food produced globally is lost each year from harvest up to, but not including retail, with an approximate economic value of 400 billion USD. In addition to this food loss, 19 percent is wasted by households, retailers, restaurants, and other food services. FLW is a significant contributor to the climate crisis where it is responsible for 8-10 percent of global GHG emissions (UNFCC2019) while also representing a waste in the valuable resources, energy and labour that went into the activities of producing, processing and transporting the food to the end consumer. This Is in addition to the considerable economic losses and loss of key nutrients from the food value chain at a time when there are high levels of hunger and food insecurity.

SDG 12 specifically target 12.3 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development calls for “halving per-capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reducing food losses along production and supply chains.“ Reducing food loss and waste presents a unique win-win opportunity to improve food security and nutrition through increased food availability, mitigating the climate crisis via a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and to also reduce pressure on our natural resources such as land and water use. It can therefore be considered as central to transforming agrifood systems.

Action is needed at all levels, from individual consumers, private sector and government, to reduce the FLW crisis and ultimately contribute to a more sustainable, efficient and resilient food system. The 2024 “Food Loss and Waste Masterclass: The Basics” involves a number of virtual events targeted to youth that have an interest in reducing food loss and waste towards achieving agrifood system transformation and enhancing the sustainability of food supplies. The first masterclass session was held in November 2023 and covered the general principles and basics of FLW reduction. The second Masterclass event, held on 9 May 2024 primarily targeted those in European, African, North American and Caribbean time zones. Again, the basic principles associated with FLW were covered followed by a rich Q&A session. It is envisaged that subsequent sessions within the masterclass series will focus on more specific topics within FLW that have been chosen as areas of interest by previous participants.

 

• Agenda

Welcoming and housekeeping by the moderator

Mr. Chailert Oliveri, Events and Information Management Specialist

Opening remarks: “Food Loss and Waste – What does it constitute?  Where does it occur? Why it is important”
Ms. Rosa Rolle, FAO Senior Enterprise Development Officer

“Food Loss - Beginning of the food journey: issues and good practices” 
Mr. Norberto Ambagan, FAO Nutrition and Food Systems Officer 

“Food Waste - End of the food journey: tackling waste” 
Mr. Ryan Brown, Food Loss and Waste Specialist

Plenary discussion on food loss and waste

“Knowledge sharing and learning opportunities: the Technical Platform on the Measurement and Reduction of Food Loss and Waste (TPFLW)”
Ms. Francesca Gianfelici, TPFLW coordinator

Closing of the webinar

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