Based on findings from the Food Waste Policy Workshop in late 2022, Dr Gamithri Karunasena, reflects on the key policies and research required for Australia to halve food waste by 2030.
There is growing momentum in food waste action across government, research, and industry, but we also know that to hit this 2030 goal, the policy and research priorities that will have the most impact need to be identified.
Some of Australia’s leading food waste researchers and practitioners met in November 2022 for the Food Waste Policy Workshop*, led by Fight Food Waste Limited, to identify the most effective and efficient food waste reduction interventions.
Together, this group pinpointed the top five policy gaps in food waste in Australia and the research projects needed to develop evidence-based policies. In all of these, industry will play a major role in advancing Australia’s fight against food waste over the next 2400 days.
1. Unlocking consumer desire to reduce food waste
Households contribute to more than 50 per cent of the value of total food waste in Australia and play a critical role in achieving the target of halving Australia’s food waste. The food industry plays an important role in supporting consumers in their move from motivation to action. Research using the best global marketing techniques is critical to helping develop a strong brand and consistent messaging for the most impactful dissemination, both nationwide and through government and industry partners.
2. Reviewing food waste to animal feed regulations and legislation
Food waste to animal feed is a longstanding industry practice. In terms of food waste action, it is the best solution for diverting the significant amount of food that is unable to be utilised further up the food waste hierarchy and would otherwise be sent to landfill. Further research to support this includes establishing biosecurity and food safety standards and maximum contaminant levels for feeding food waste to animals and insects so that businesses can more effectively reduce food waste and unlock potential new revenue streams.
3. Unfair trading practices and whole crop purchasing impacts on food waste
We require a greater understanding of the trading practices that are resulting in the largest volumes of food waste. This research will help inform the most impactful solutions and shift the ‘business-as-usual’ practices that are creating avoidable waste and costing businesses. International action in this space indicates significant opportunities for both advancing food waste reduction targets and financial benefits to business.
4. Identifying barriers and opportunities for retailers to send surplus food to high-value destinations
There are still barriers that hinder food waste reduction efforts in retail, particularly around food donation and upcycling. Growing the research around the governance, laws, social license to operate, and policy could make it easier for retail and food service to reduce food waste, tap into the booming upcycled food market, and help address hunger in Australia.
5. Research supporting the creation of new regional food hubs
To support regional food hubs – where food could be repurposed and processed to value-add – research around the best business models and support mechanisms will help direct their viable creation. The potential includes keeping produce at the highest value destinations with opportunities for businesses across the supply chain.
Central to these priorities, as recognised by workshop participants, was the need for food waste measurement and reporting. Working together with government and industry, gathering benchmarking data, and developing measurement tools and processes will quantify existing and new food waste reduction efforts across the supply chain.
Working groups (including federal and state government players), industry bodies, leading food businesses, and research institutions have been tasked with leading action on these priority areas. We look forward to working together and with the wider industry towards halving Australia’s food waste, one day at a time.
*The organising committee of the Food Waste Policy Workshop was: Professor David Pearson, Professor Sarah Wheeler, Associate Professor Simon Lockrey, Dr Gamithri Karunasena, Francesca Goodman-Smith, Carolyn Cameron and Alex Guest.
This story first appeared in the June-July edition of Food & Drink Business magazine.
