The Australian Food Pact has received the Business Services and Solutions Award at the 36th Banksia Foundation National Sustainability Awards for its achievements in reducing food waste across the supply chain. Food and beverage manufacturers were well represented this year including Hive finalist Gina’s Table, JBS, and Too Good To Go.
The voluntary pact was launched in 2021 by End Food Waste Australia (EFWA), which supports companies in taking voluntary action, setting measurable goals, and working collectively to reduce waste while achieving positive economic, social, and environmental outcomes. It fosters partnerships between growers, manufacturers, retailers, and other key sectors, promoting a whole-of-chain approach to ensure waste is prevented rather than shifted.
Over the past three years, the Australian Food Pact has supported its 41 signatories achieve:
- saved $57 million by reducing food waste in 2024 alone;
- 13 per cent reduction in food waste (16,000 tonnes) compared to 2022;
- 982,000 tonnes of repurposed food: including redistribution to food rescue charities for those in need, and upcycling food into innovative products like vegetable powders;
- donated 254 million meals to food rescue organisations; and
- saved 505,000 tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions – the equivalent of taking 210,000 cars off the road for a year.
The Banksia Foundation said, “Its strong network of government agencies, NGOs, and global partners underpins its success, while tailored support and knowledge sharing empower businesses to implement effective solutions.
“Celebrated internationally as a model for change, the Australian Food Pact is reshaping Australia’s relationship with food and driving systemic change for a more sustainable future.”
EFWA CEO, Dr Steven Lapidge, said the organisation was “extremely proud” to win the award.
“This isn’t just any win; it’s a nod to the impact that can be made when we all work together.
“This year’s awards theme was ‘Optimism’, and we can safely say that with our results, and this acknowledgement from the Banksia Foundation, we are feeling optimistic for what the future holds.
“If you grow, make, move, sell or buy food, you are an important part of ending food waste. Reach out if you want to be part of this winning initiative too,” Lapidge said.
Other food and beverage companies recognised in the awards (text from Banksia Awards)
Bumbak’s Preserves & Icecreams, Western Australia
Bumbak’s Preserves and Icecreams, located on a plantation in Carnarvon, Western Australia, offers a wide range of award-winning homemade products, including preserves, ice creams, smoothies, dried fruits, baked goods, and gourmet chocolates. These products are made from ‘rescued’ waste produce that would otherwise be discarded, showcasing the innovative use of waste and pioneering a sustainable zero-waste production model. As an award-winning, sustainable plantation destination, Bumbak’s is committed to addressing food waste at the grassroots level, fostering creativity, and promoting environmental practices that support the horticultural industry and the local community. With its focus on sustainability and the ‘plantation to plate’ experience, Bumbak’s is helping preserve the region’s horticultural future.
Lenah Game Meats, Tasmania
Lenah Game Meats processes wild harvested Bennett’s Wallaby, Brushtail Possums, Forester Kangaroos and deer, creating high-value food and fibre products from animals that would otherwise be culled and wasted.
Wallaby meat is Lenah’s signature product, a high protein meat containing low levels of embedded carbon (2.39kg C/kg compared to beef with up to 30kg C/kg). Lenah’s vision is to offer a new paradigm for Tasmanian agriculture, value adding an otherwise wasted resource. Providing a value to species that have been viewed as pests offers flow on benefits for habitat retention, biodiversity and animal welfare.
Over Lenah’s 30 years of operations, consumption of wallaby meat rather than beef has abated over 92,000,000kg of carbon emissions.
The business prioritises zero waste, with creative uses for by-products, including “Wuggs”, wallaby fur Ugg boots.
Gina’s Table (SSS Strawberries), Queensland
business farming strawberries in regional Queensland that has grown to become Australia’s second largest strawberry producer. Six years ago, current managing director Gina Dang began investigating ways to reduce food waste by converting supermarket-rejected strawberries into nutritious snacks. Innovation and strategic planning have placed SSS Strawberries at the forefront of sustainable agriculture. The answer to how we can transform food waste into opportunity lies in their state-of-the-art freeze-drying facility, set to be the largest in Australia with the capacity to freeze dry 2000 kilograms of produce within hours. Designed with scalability in mind, the facility can extend services to other primary producers. SSS Strawberries’ initiative is a clear example of innovation in the agri-food industry. By pioneering a large-scale freeze-drying facility in Australia, they are addressing food waste in a novel way, transforming surplus fruits into nutrient-dense products.
JBS Australia – Farm Assurance, Victoria
The JBS Farm Assurance program, launched by JBS Australia in 2011, is a pioneering initiative that establishes the highest standards in food safety, quality, animal welfare, and traceability in livestock production. Accredited to global standards ISO17065 and rigorously audited by BVAQ, the program ensures transparency and sustainability from pasture to plate. Over the past two years, JBS Farm Assurance has elevated its commitment to sustainable and regenerative farming practices, enhancing consumer confidence. The program integrates AI technology for unprecedented supply chain transparency, allowing customers to trace premium beef back to its farm of origin through to its final destination. With a comprehensive approach to carbon management, regenerative agriculture, and community engagement, the program is set apart as an industry leader. JBS Farm Assurance aims to leave a lasting legacy by setting a benchmark for sustainable farming practices, fostering greater transparency and trust in the food supply chain.
Too Good To Go, New South Wales
Too Good To Go is a social impact company, on a mission to inspire and empower everyone to fight food waste together. Since its launch in 2016, Too Good To Go has helped to save over 350 million meals from going to waste, the equivalent to avoiding 945,000 tonnes of CO2e, 283.5 billion litres of unnecessary water use and 980 million m2 of land use per year. 40 per cent of all food produced is wasted every year, contributing to 10 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions (WWF, 2021). According to Project Drawdown (2020), reducing food waste is the number one action you can take to help tackle climate change, by limiting the temperature rise to just 2C by 2100. With 100 million registered users and 170,000 active partners across 19 countries across Europe, Australia and America, Too Good To Go operates the world's largest marketplace for surplus food.
