Food loss and waste is one of the biggest hidden challenges of our times. Every year, millions of tonnes of edible food go to waste at various stages from production and storage to transportation, retail, and household consumption. This is not only an ethical concern, considering that millions of people are starving, but also an environmental issue. Discarded food contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, adding to the already critical climate crisis.

Creating awareness around food loss and waste is crucial for reducing hunger, fighting climate change, and promoting sustainable consumption patterns across the globe.

Global Recognition

Understanding the urgency of this issue, the United Nations introduced the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW) on 19th December 2019. The day is observed every year on September 29, aiming to promote awareness and encourage collective global action to reduce food loss and waste.

The observance is led by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), who organize campaigns, dialogues, and initiatives worldwide. These activities help to highlight innovative solutions and inspire both individual and systemic change in the way food is produced, distributed, and consumed.

Theme for 2025

The theme for IDAFLW 2025 is "Reducing Food Loss and Waste: Taking Action to Transform Food Systems". This year’s focus emphasizes the need for urgent and practical actions to build more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems. The theme calls on all stakeholders to adopt smarter practices, policies, and innovations that minimize waste at every stage and ensure more equitable access to food.

Why Food Loss and Waste Matters

This global observance highlights the urgent need to minimize food waste, promote food security, and use resources more responsibly. It calls for collective responsibility, where every stakeholder plays a part: farmers adopting better storage practices, retailers improving supply chain efficiency, consumers being mindful in their consumption habits, and policymakers enacting laws that reduce waste at a national level.

Food loss and waste touches upon several interconnected issues. One major concern is hunger and inequality. While millions suffer from food insecurity, vast amounts of food are discarded, reflecting a serious imbalance in access and distribution. From an environmental perspective, wasted food that ends up in landfills releases harmful greenhouse gases, while also wasting precious natural resources such as water, energy, and land.

Economically, food loss impacts all players in the food supply chain. Farmers, retailers, and consumers lose billions each year due to spoilage, improper storage, overproduction, and inefficient purchasing behaviors. This puts added pressure on land, biodiversity, and water supplies, further driving deforestation and climate change.

Addressing the Challenge

Solving the issue of food loss and waste requires efforts at every stage of the food system. At the production level, investments in better storage, refrigeration, and transportation can reduce post-harvest losses. Farmers can be encouraged to adopt modern agricultural practices that preserve food quality after harvest.

In the distribution chain, supermarkets and suppliers can take proactive steps by donating unsold but edible food to food banks and NGOs. Enhancing supply chain logistics and better demand forecasting can help balance production with actual need, reducing overstock and waste.

At the consumer level, small but mindful actions such as avoiding overbuying, storing food properly, reusing leftovers, and supporting local farmers markets can collectively make a significant difference. Education on sustainable food habits is essential in encouraging long-term behavioral change.

From a policy perspective, governments have a key role in enabling change. They can introduce food donation laws, provide tax incentives, and launch nationwide campaigns to promote responsible consumption. Public-private partnerships and community-driven programs can also contribute to building a stronger, waste-conscious food system.

A Call to Act Now

Food loss and waste is a serious issue. It is not just about throwing away food, but also about missing opportunities to feed the hungry, protect the environment, and build a fair and sustainable economy.

Now is the time for action from producers, investors, businesses, and supply chain stakeholders to consumers, civil society, and public institutions. Everyone has a role to play in reducing food loss and waste. Through coordinated efforts, we can move toward a world where food systems are efficient, inclusive, and resilient, ensuring food security for current and future generations.