Next 29th September will be the first International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste. While hunger continues to rise, according to FAO, one third of all food produced is lost or wasted. The impact of these figures led the United Nations agency to designate a specific day to remember the responsibility we all have regarding this issue. Reducing food loss and waste is essential, not only because of the millions of tons of food affected but because of the resources and energy needed to produce them.
FAO has launched a database of food loss and waste, which is the largest compilation available online on food loss and waste, and their respective causes. This database contains data reports and public access studies that measure the loss and waste of food in the various links in the chain and in different geographical areas.
In addition, the UN agency has also launched a Community of Practice in reducing food loss with a discussion forum. These instruments enable participation in online discussions, and exchange of experiences and information with other members; they also contribute to building a world community aimed at reducing the loss of food and achieving food security.
In this link, you can find information about these tools along with a compilation of best practices to avoid waste, and an explanation of the distinction between the terms waste and loss.