Over the past couple of months, the conversation surrounding food waste has increased, especially on social media. Whilst #WorldFoodDay was trending last week on 16 October, several other trending discussions have centred on the issue of food waste –including #EUStopFoodWaste.
Initiated by EU Food Safety during their conference at the EU Expo 2015, the hashtag got many people talking on twitter. Several Twitter users quoted some of the key speakers and brought us the highlights of the conference.
We need to educate generations to change behavior towards food, Ursula Hudson @Food_EU #EUStopFoodWaste #slowfood_de pic.twitter.com/Z4qzHMM1s9 — Slow Food (@SlowFoodHQ) October 15, 2015
We need to educate generations to change behavior towards food, Ursula Hudson @Food_EU #EUStopFoodWaste #slowfood_de pic.twitter.com/Z4qzHMM1s9
— Slow Food (@SlowFoodHQ) October 15, 2015
Interesting discussion about cause #foodwaste #EUStopFoodWaste #EUExpo2015: over production or over consumption? pic.twitter.com/Ine8aK1zjY — Tekla (@ttennapel) October 15, 2015
Interesting discussion about cause #foodwaste #EUStopFoodWaste #EUExpo2015: over production or over consumption? pic.twitter.com/Ine8aK1zjY
— Tekla (@ttennapel) October 15, 2015
Similarly, this week saw the hashtag #FoodTechWeek trending. Referencing the London Food Tech Show, which is taking place until the 23 October in London, the week focusses on showcasing the “new trends, ideas and companies transforming the food technology space and the #FutureofFood”. Food waste has been a hot topic at the event, with users tweeting quotes from speakers including…
"We are trashing paradise to produce food we don't eat!" – @frucool at #TEDx #FutureofFood #FoodTechWeek #foodwaste pic.twitter.com/FcaPO8jvBO — LDN Food Tech Week (@FoodTechWeek) October 20, 2015
"We are trashing paradise to produce food we don't eat!" – @frucool at #TEDx #FutureofFood #FoodTechWeek #foodwaste pic.twitter.com/FcaPO8jvBO
— LDN Food Tech Week (@FoodTechWeek) October 20, 2015
"Invest, create and be the change you want to see in #FoodWaste" – @WinnowSolutions founder Marc Zornes at #TEDx #FutureofFood #FoodTechWeek — LDN Food Tech Week (@FoodTechWeek) October 20, 2015
"Invest, create and be the change you want to see in #FoodWaste" – @WinnowSolutions founder Marc Zornes at #TEDx #FutureofFood #FoodTechWeek
So whilst food waste continues to be the topic of conversation – who’s responsible? How can we change? What can be done? It’s crucial to remember that there isn’t one solution for all. There are many factors which affect food waste and these can vary drastically from country to country. Whilst per capita waste by consumers is highest in Europe, the US and industrialised Asia, in developing countries the majority of food waste occurs during production, that being at post-harvest and processing stages. Climate, money, technology and politics are all factors which affect how and when food waste will be dealt with. Whilst finding solutions is imminent, some are harder to implement than others.
As such, we’ve chosen three innovative companies from across the globe, which are all using different approaches to tackle the problem of food waste.
Three innovative approaches to food waste
No Food Wasted
Inspired by the large amount of food thrown away in Dutch supermarkets, €400m’s worth a year, this start-up from the Netherlands has produced an app which informs the consumers, based on their location, discounts available in their area on food that’s about to expire. The consumer can then go and buy the produce at the discounted rate and it is not wasted by the supermarket. Already active in 25 stores, the company is hoping to expand to the US market in the future. In a pilot study, the No Food Wasted app cut food waste in supermarkets by up to 18%.
Stawi Fruits
In certain regions of Africa, banana producers are suffering. They are paid little for their crop and any bumper harvest usually goes to waste. In a bid to solve this, young entrepreneur Erick Muthomi launched Stawi Fruits in Kenya and began processing the excess crop into banana flour. As well as being gluten-free and wheat-free, the flour has many applications in the instant food industry including as a thickener and stabilizer in puddings, custards and soups. With a plan to help farming families increase production in a sustainable way and contribute to food security in the country, Stawi Fruits is also working to improve nutrition and has diversified into instant fortified porridge flours aimed at children and the family.
Petoo
This start-up from India uses big data to help reduce food waste. Created by Ritesh Dwivedy, founder of Just Eat India, Petoo is another venture into the Indian food-tech sector for the entrepreneur. Whilst the company, like many other start-ups in the country, is focussed on food delivery, Petoo differs by the fact it uses big data to target the right audience. By using its consumers’ past data, knowledge of certain busy periods in the country and insights into different eating out preferences, Petoo uses algorithms to predict order volumes, manage menus and plan inventories. Unlike the average restaurant which wastes between 5% and 10% of food, by using this system of effective inventory management, Petoo is working to dramatically reduce wastage in the sector.
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