“There is no denying - our food systems are under considerable and constant pressure. They weigh heavily on the environment, on public health and health systems, and on social equality. They are the backdrop to morally uncomfortable contradictions. While food is safe and plentiful in the EU, food insecurity remains an issue for 36 million people. While resources are shrinking, we waste a fifth of the food we produce. While more information on healthy living is available than ever before, over half the EU's adult population is overweight, contributing to a rise in diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. […]
The “Farm to fork” strategy is part of the EU's answer to this challenge. It will support a holistic rethink of the way we produce and consume food, and the impact it has on broader social, economic and environmental objectives. It aims to set the agenda and lead the way for a global transition to more sustainable food systems, in line with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Reducing food loss and waste is a key part in this process. Our efforts to halve food waste by 2030, and reduce losses along the food production and supply chains, will make an important contribution to other key objectives.”

Stella Kyriakides, EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety at the Food Waste Conference in Brussels