European Parliament, Brussels (BE), 4^th March 2024

At the beginning of March, the European Food Forum hosted a debate about food waste, its impact on greenhouse gas emissions, and potential solutions. It has been estimated that individuals contribute 130 kg of food waste annually, depleting vital resources such as water and energy, and contributing to 16% of EU greenhouse gas emissions as well as costing around 132 billion EUR.

In response, the European Commission has proposed measures to reduce food loss in processing and manufacturing by 10% and waste by 30% per capita at retail and consumption levels by 2030. The various solutions include “Too Good to Go” facilitating food collection in stores, while the “Aldi South Group” has implemented price reductions on products about to expire and expanded donation programmes. There are also education initiatives aimed at raising awareness among citizens about the impact of consumption habits. Within the food industry, strategies such as utilizing spent grains for plant-based beverages and promoting whole soya bean products offer more sustainable alternatives to minimise waste.

What these initiatives show is a growing collective effort to tackle food loss and food waste, fostering a culture of shared responsibility and stewardship, where every action, no matter how small, counts towards building a more sustainable food system.

Speakers:

Panel 1: Reducing food waste in manufacturing and key enablers for the transition towards more sustainable food systems

• Katie Carson: Director Corporate Affairs Food & Climate Policy, TetraPak
• Silvia Lofrese: Senior Manager Public Affairs, FoodDrinkEurope

Panel 2: Reducing food waste at retail and restaurants: Business Cases

• Hanna Eldh: Group Experience Marketing Manager, Electrolux

Group: Food Waste and Refrigeration

• Avik Mukhija – CEO, Freshflow
• Jana Villwock – Representative for the EU Office of ALDI SOUTH

Group

• Christophe Diercxsens – Global Public Affairs Director, Too Good

to Go

• Enrico Derflingher – President Euro-Toques International, Ambassador for Italian Cuisine

Panel 3: Consumer education and information: Key enablers to achieve food waste reduction.

• Elena Dinu – Advocacy and Development Director at the

Romanian Federation for Food Banks

• Angela Frigo – Secretary General EFBA European Food Banks Association

Chellie Pingree U.S. Representatives– Co-Founder Congressional Food Recovery Caucus