FAO and Kyoto University partner to reduce food waste

A pilot project implemented by Kyoto University in 2019, aimed at raising awareness on food waste in canteens on the campus, and enhancing the knowledge and engagement of students in reducing food loss and waste, determined that approximately 20 per cent of food is wasted in canteens on campus. Research findings under the pilot, highlighted that the most wasted foods on the campus include side vegetables, rice and noodles, and parts of fish.  

Other key activities of the project were the conduct of an International Symposium on Food Waste Reduction and Education in June 2019, to sensitize students about food waste and its implications and an event organized in November 2018, to disseminate the Do Good Save Food educational kit jointly developed by FAO and the International Food Waste Coalition. Some of these materials were translated into Japanese by KU students on a voluntary basis and proved to be very effective in raising awareness and engaging young scholars, teachers and parents in the Kyoto municipality. 

Supported by FAO in the framework of an on-going partnership, these activities highlight how FAO’s partnerships with academia can help to develop youth capacities, raise awareness on food sustainability and encourage students to take actions to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

FAO and Kyoto University signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2016.  This partnership was renewed in March 2018. The partnershipfocuses on knowledge and technical expertise exchanges and awareness raising, in particular, on food waste and the urban food policy agenda, the development of agriculture modelling tools, and exploration of the nexus between climate change and sustainable food and agriculture systems. Examples of previous collaborations include the  joint organization of the International Symposium on Food and Sustainability (October 2018, Kyoto), a seminar ‘’Kyoto University – Creating Knowledge for Food Security’’ (FAO HQ, March 2018) and International Symposium on the Impact of Climate Change on Food and Agriculture (June 2017, Kyoto), amongst other initiatives.   

Kyoto University was founded in 1897, and was the second university established in Japan. It is one of Asia's highest ranked universities and one of Japan's National Seven Universities. The university has prided itself in its research oriented approach and as a pioneer of fieldwork. 

For more information: Rosa Rolle, Senior Enterprise Development Officer, FAO/ESN (mail to: [email protected]) and Yosuke Yamashi, Professor, Vice-Dean, Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability (mail to: [email protected])

Photo credit: Inside the Central KU canteen ©Ayaka Nomura