"EU Food Loss and Waste Prevention Hub newsletter" Newsletter Issues

Introduction January 2021 newsletter (15/07/2020)

Members of the EU Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste ushered in 2021 with new interventions to move towards the Sustainable Development Goal Target 12.3. Information shared in this edition of the Platform’s newsletter includes results from implemented campaigns and updates on projects underway, new food loss and waste data at national level, amendments in legislative frameworks, and work on improving consumer understanding of date marking. We wish you a pleasant reading!

Finland (21/02/2021)

A roadmap for reducing and monitoring food waste in Finland

Germany (21/02/2021)

Dialogue forums for the primary production and the food processing stages

Ireland (21/02/2021)

Ireland’s national ‘Eat it or Freeze it’ communications campaign

Netherlands (21/02/2021)

Food waste and date marking in the Netherlands: intervention visual cues on packaging

Poland (21/02/2021)

How much food is wasted in Poland?

Romania (21/02/2021)

Amendments to the food waste prevention legislative framework

Sweden (21/02/2021)

The Swedish voluntary agreement for the reduction of food waste celebrates its first year of cooperation

Boroume (21/02/2021)

Saving food 30 000 feet above the Earth

European Food Banks Federation (21/02/2021)

Updates from FEBA membership and recovery of surplus food from European Commission’s restaurants and cafeterias

FoodDrinkEurope (21/02/2021)

Discover the Italian task force against food waste: LIFE Food.Waste.StandUp project

FoodWIN (21/02/2021)

65% reduction in household food waste in Bruges: promising first results of the ‘Food Winners Brugge’ campaign

OSTFOLD Research, Nofima and Matvett Consortium (21/02/2021)

A summary of food waste prevention activities in Norway in 2020; report on key figures 2015-2019; ‘CutFoodWaste2020’: final report on the Norwegian hospitality sector

WRAP (21/02/2021)

Courtauld 2025 Annual Summit success; Food Waste Action Week; Guardians taking action against food waste; Stop Food Waste Australia officially announced

Stop Wasting Food Denmark (15/07/2020)

Save Your Money and Save Your Food in January

European Food Banks Federation (16/01/2021)

FEBA Annual Forum - European Food Banks Federation: competences and creativity to feed the future & Christmas solidarity campaign in Italy

FoodWIN (29/01/2021)

Digital Food Waste Fest 2.020: replay all 12 webinars online

Wageningen University & Research (16/01/2021)

Consumers positive about smart shelf life indicator on meal packaging

WRAP (16/01/2021)

Webinar on redistribution of food beyond its ‘best before’ date & online learning programme for the hospitality and food service sector in the UK

Zero Waste Scotland (16/01/2021)

Christmas food waste reduction campaign & online Food Redistribution Matchmaking service

Stop Wasting Food Denmark (15/07/2020)

Christmas during COVID-19 - How to Take Care of Yourself, Your Christmas Food and Avoid Food Waste

United Nations Food Systems Summit, Fall 2021 (16/01/2021)

The United Nations Food Systems Summit in 2021 will reinforce global engagement for a just transition to sustainable food systems

Introduction December newsletter (15/07/2020)

This edition of the Platform’s newsletter marks the end of an exceptional year. Throughout 2020, the members of the EU Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste continued to tackle food loss and waste, while addressing the challenges emerged due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Initiatives taking place in December 2020 include end-of-year food waste campaigns, food waste prevention training, conferences and studies on the impact of innovative solutions. We wish you a pleasant reading!

9th Plenary meeting of the EU Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste, 10 December 2020 (15/11/2020)

EFSA scientific opinion: Guidance on date marking and related food information: part 1 (date marking) (15/11/2020)

Austria (16/01/2021)

Food waste training programme for food services professionals

Lithuania (16/01/2021)

International conference ‘Taking household food waste seriously’ & online educational tournaments by ‘Sincerely, food’

Spain (29/01/2021)

Guide for the donation of surplus food in the Basque Country: a step of solidarity against food waste

Sweden (16/01/2021)

Christmas date marking awareness campaign & Sweden’s food loss and waste milestone targets available in English

EuroCommerce (16/01/2021)

Mercadona intensifies its food donation activities in Spain and Portugal & Zer0% waste fruit and vegetable box available in all Continente stores in Portugal

Introduction November newsletter (15/07/2020)

With the end-of-year and the holiday season fast approaching, members of the EU Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste continue to work towards the common goal of halving food waste by 2030. Initiatives carried out in November 2020 include calls-to-action for the UN Food Systems Summit 2021, development of educational materials, new tax incentives for food donation, and many more. The Council of the European Union also met in November 2020 to discuss progress made by the EU to tackle food loss and waste, based on the conclusions issued by the Council in 2016. We wish you a pleasant reading!

Council of the EU (16/12/2020)

Council conclusions on food losses and waste: second assessment of progress by the German Presidency

European Commission (16/12/2020)

Re-establishment of the EU Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste as of 2022 & 2nd webinar on food waste measurement for EU Member States

Austria (16/12/2020)

Special food waste exhibition in Vienna

Netherlands (16/12/2020)

Creating awareness among the Dutch youth: Kidsweek special edition on sustainable diets and food waste

Slovenia (16/12/2020)

Tackling food waste in Slovenia with the LIFE project CARE4CLIMATE

Eurocommerce (16/12/2020)

Polish retailer Biedronka launched food waste campaign to raise awareness

Eurocoop (16/12/2020)

Eroski and its customers collect 1.6 million euros in favour of the Spanish Federation of Food Banks

European Food Banks Federation (16/12/2020)

News from the European Food Banks Federation network

Stop Wasting Food Denmark (16/12/2020)

Stop Wasting Food Movement contributes to the Vatican’s book on food losses and waste

Wageningen University & Research (16/12/2020)

Call-to-action for UN Food Systems Summit 2021: 10 rules to change to halve food waste by 2030

WRAP (16/12/2020)

WRAP supports Pacific Coast Collaborative (USA): Food Retailer working groups kick off action against food loss and waste

FAO (16/12/2020)

Central Asia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey establish joint Food Loss and Waste Strategy Committee

Season's greetings 2020 (15/07/2020)

Introduction October newsletter (15/07/2020)

As the EU faces the second wave of COVID-19, the members of the EU Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste continue to engage in food waste prevention related activities, taking steps to prevent food waste in the supply chain and ensure more surplus food is made available to those in need. This edition includes information on the various initiatives carried out by members of the Platform, such as sectoral guidance for food waste measurement, food waste school competitions, educational materials, award-winning food waste prevention projects, and many more. We wish you a pleasant reading!

Farm to Fork 2020 conference: Building sustainable food systems together (23/10/2020)

2nd webinar on food waste measurement for EU Member States, 25 November 2020 (15/11/2020)

Belgium/FoodWIN (15/11/2020)

Digital Food Waste Fest 2.020, 8-9 December 2020

Finland (15/11/2020)

Annual Food Waste Week culminated with a ‘Food waste battle’ between schools

Hungary (15/11/2020)

Raising awareness about food waste on World Food Day & Wasteless School Programme educational materials now available in English

Poland (15/11/2020)

'Best before': Could we donate food out of date?

Portugal (15/11/2020)

Flaw4life project among the winners of LIFE Awards 2020 & retailers helping consumers avoid food waste

Slovenia (15/11/2020)

‘Europe in School’: Reducing food waste by engaging primary school pupils in an annual competition

Sweden (15/11/2020)

Developing redistribution systems for surplus food, guidelines for food waste measurement in dairy, fisheries and wholesale sectors & Swedish Food Agency’s food waste webpages now available in English

Eurocoop (17/11/2020)

Coop Netherlands connects all its stores to the ’Too Good To Go’ application

European Food Banks Federation (15/11/2020)

Food banks: a beneficial solution to prevent food waste, for the people and for the planet

Stop Wasting Food Denmark (15/11/2020)

Stop Wasting Food teams up with Denmark’s biggest food producers to save tonnes of ugly fruits and vegetables

Wageningen University & Research (15/11/2020)

EU funded project REFRESH featured in Euronews & online session ‘A Global Call to Action on Food Loss and Waste’

Introduction September newsletter (15/07/2020)

September was an important month for food loss and waste prevention! The world celebrated the first International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste on 29 September 2020. This edition of the newsletter includes information on the various events and activities carried out by members of the EU Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste to commemorate this important day. Of course, there are other initiatives included as well, such as the launch of new dialogue fora, the development of new tools and campaigns, the publication of reports, and many more. We wish you a pleasant reading!

29.09.2020: International Day of Awareness of Food Loss & Waste (23/10/2020)

Publication of the Horizon 2020 Green Deal Call (23/10/2020)

Austria (22/10/2020)

'Nothing left to waste’ Action Days

Estonia (22/10/2020)

Consumer awareness campaign 'Respect food completely!' & High-level conference 'Stop food loss and waste!'

Germany (22/10/2020)

National week of action 'Germany saves food!'; applications for the Federal Prize 2021 ‘Too good for the bin!’ are open; dialogue forum to reduce food waste at household level

Hungary (22/10/2020)

New study shows reduction of food waste in Hungarian households & food stockpiling guide developed for consumers

Ireland (22/10/2020)

National survey to inform initiatives to reduce food waste

Lithuania (22/10/2020)

Week of food waste prevention initiatives

Luxembourg (22/10/2020)

Spotlight on current and future Luxembourgish initiatives against food waste

Netherlands (22/10/2020)

Dutch Food Waste Free Week

Norway (22/10/2020)

‘Best before’ does not mean ‘bad after’; agreement on 50% reduction in food waste by 2030; improved 2020 food loss and waste figures; consumer studies on food waste at household level

Portugal (23/10/2020)

Launch of new seal to enhance visibility of food chain operators carrying out food waste initiatives & new alliance among key stakeholders to join efforts against food waste

Slovenia (23/10/2020)

Slovenian National Strategy for Less Food Losses and Food Waste in the Food Supply Chain; launch of the Statement on cooperation in reducing food losses and waste in the food supply chain; other activities to mark the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste

Boroume (23/10/2020)

Official launch of the 'Alliance for the Reduction of Food Waste' in Greece

Eurocoop (23/10/2020)

Coop Sweden set to champion food waste by reducing it to less than 1% by 2025

European Food Banks Federation (23/10/2020)

Virtual interactive event to mark the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste & FEBA report September 2020

Health Care Without Harm (23/10/2020)

Virtual conference in November 2020: the fight against food waste in French healthcare

Stop Wasting Food Denmark (29/10/2020)

Danish organisation rewards H.R.H. Princess Marie of Denmark for work on food waste prevention

Wageningen University & Research (23/10/2020)

Impact and feasibility of policy and regulatory measures on the prevention and reduction of food waste

WRAP (23/10/2020)

New brand launch; Food Waste Reduction Roadmap Progress Report 2020; Arla Cravendale launches new initiative on food waste prevention; International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste; Food Waste Action Week in the UK; and more

Zero Waste Scotland (23/10/2020)

Joint initiative with Lidl; webinars for hospitality and food services sectors; new online Food Redistribution Matchmaking service

United Nations Environment Programme (23/10/2020)

UNEP/WWF report: ‘Enhancing NDCs for Food Systems’

Happy IDAFLW! (15/07/2020)

IDAFLW image (25/09/2020)

The importance of the day (29/09/2020)

Commission activities (25/09/2020)

Social media campaign (25/09/2020)

The Commission proposes a series of visuals in various EU languages with advice for citizens on how to avoid food waste at home.

Other Commission activities (25/09/2020)

The European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides, issued a Statement on the importance of tackling food waste.

Participation in stakeholders’ events (25/09/2020)

The European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides, and the Deputy Director-General at the EU Commission Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety, Claire Bury, will intervene at events organised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations and the European Food Banks Federation (FEBA) to commemorate the day:

Calendar of Events (25/09/2020)

Links (25/09/2020)

Introduction July&August newsletter (15/07/2020)

After a much needed summer break, we hope that you are safe, healthy and back to base! This edition of the newsletter includes information on various initiatives carried out by the members of the EU Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste throughout July and August 2020. Do not forget to pencil the following dates in your agendas: 29 September 2020 as the first International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste and 15-16 October 2020 for the virtual Farm to Fork 2020 conference: Building sustainable food systems together. We wish you a pleasant reading!

The International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW), 29 September 2020 (29/09/2020)

The European Commission will contribute to the day by organising a series of activities in order to inform, educate and engage citizens and stakeholders regarding food loss and waste prevention. Discover the calendar of events and activities carried out by the members of the Platform to mark the day!

Farm to Fork 2020 conference: Building sustainable food systems together, 15 & 16 October 2020 (15/10/2020)

The first Farm to Fork Conference – Building sustainable food systems together, will take place on 15 and 16 October 2020 and will be a virtual event. The conference is hosted by the European Commissioner for Health & Food Safety, Ms. Stella Kyriakides, and the European Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Janusz Wojciechowski. The opening address of the Conference will be given by the European Commission Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans.

Austria (21/09/2020)

Opening of a new storage space for surplus food in Vienna.

Netherlands (21/09/2020)

#Verspillingsvrij date marking campaign & Donald Duck special food waste issue.

Hungary (21/09/2020)

The Wasteless programme goes to summer camp and a new awareness campaign to reduce food waste is launched in Hungary.

Lithuania (21/09/2020)

Food waste-themed infotainment at summer events in Bulgaria and Lithuania.

Sweden (21/09/2020)

Measuring progress towards national food loss levels; milestone target to reduce food loss and waste; behavioural project to help consumers reduce food waste.

Eurocoop (21/09/2020)

Valencia-based consumer co-operative Consum joins a virtual donation platform based on blockchain.

European Food Banks Federation (21/09/2020)

Mid-Term session of the data collection project; cross-border cooperation against food waste; FoodCloud becomes a Friend of Champions 12.3.

FoodDrinkEurope (21/09/2020)

Kellogg provides 15 million portions of food to help communities across Europe.

FoodWIN (21/09/2020)

Brussels in search of food waste ambassadors.

Hungarian Food Bank Association (21/09/2020)

‘Live Wastelessly!’ A new awareness campaign in Hungary to reduce food waste.

Independent Retail Europe (21/09/2020)

Innovative solution helps EDEKA & Apeel cut retail food waste by 50%.

Stop Wasting Food Denmark (24/09/2020)

"Food with respect" - cookbook to fight against food waste generates €4,835 to support work of DanChurchAid.

Wageningen University & Research (21/09/2020)

Postharvest Technology & Refrigerated Transport Technology online courses.

EVENTS (15/07/2020)

Introduction June newsletter (15/07/2020)

A variety of initiatives were carried out by the members of the EU Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste throughout June 2020. While many of these actions were taken in relation to COVID-19, other initiatives include communication activities on food waste prevention more generally, legislative developments at national level, voluntary commitments to reduce food waste and many more. As for your agendas, do not forget to reserve 15-16 October 2020 for the ‘Farm to Fork 2020 Conference: Building sustainable food systems together' and other important dates. We wish you a pleasant reading!

Guidance on simpler but safe hygiene rules for small retailers, also when donating food (16/07/2020)

Revision of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 on food hygiene: open for consultation (16/07/2020)

Webinar on Food Waste measurement for European Union Member States (16/07/2020)

France (15/07/2020)

Anti-waste law for a circular economy: extended provisions for food waste

Germany (15/07/2020)

Wholesale and retail sectors commit to act against food waste

Hungary (15/07/2020)

Food donation activities, educational materials and new research on household food waste

Eurocoop (15/07/2020)

"One Million Meals" to feed 500 families during a year

European Food Banks Federation (15/07/2020)

Online workshop on economic indicators, new report on the situation of European food banks post COVID-19 and annual report 2019.

FoodWIN (15/07/2020)

FoodWIN reports on work of its member “Too Good to Go”: French municipalities commit to fighting food waste

Stop Wasting Food Denmark (15/07/2020)

Companies must consider the fight against food waste as a growing competitive parameter

SAVE THE DATE! Farm to Fork conference-Building sustainable food systems together, 15-16 October 2020 (15/07/2020)

F2F picture (15/07/2020)

SAVE THE DATE! Farm to Fork conference 15-16 October 2020 (15/10/2020)

The first Farm to Fork Conference – Building sustainable food systems together, will take place on 15 and 16 October 2020 and will be a virtual event. The conference is hosted by the European Commissioner for Health & Food Safety, Ms. Stella Kyriakides, and the European Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Janusz Wojciechowski. The opening address of the Conference will be given by the European Commission Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans.

OTHER IMPORTANT DATES TO ALREADY MARK IN YOUR AGENDA! (15/07/2020)

Austria (23/07/2020)

New website on healthy diets sees the light of the day

European Commission (19/06/2020)

Adoption of the Farm to Fork Strategy.

European Commission (19/06/2020)

Horizon2020 Research and Innovation (R&I) call.

European Commission (19/06/2020)

The 8th meeting of the Platform took place virtually on 15 June 2020. Opening statement by Commissioner Stella Kyriakides-Health and Food Safety; Chaired by Sabine Jülicher, Director, Food and feed safety, Innovation.

Austria (19/06/2020)

The initiative ‘Team Austria’ celebrates its 10th anniversary.

Germany (19/06/2020)

Discover the winners of the ‘Too good for the bin’ Federal Award!

Hungary (19/06/2020)

Online Wasteless lesson on food waste prevention for schools and facilitating donation of household surplus food.

Slovenia (19/06/2020)

Dissemination of the Slovenian version of the Platform’s key recommendations for action to prevent food waste and food redistribution activities during the COVID-19 crisis.

Sweden (19/06/2020)

Increased feed use from surplus food and production residues, news from the Swedish Food Agency on food waste in public meals and publications about the Gothenburg model for lesser food waste.

Boroume (20/06/2020)

Restart of the “Boroume at the Farmers’ Market” programme, following the lockdown COVID-19 period.

Eurocoop (20/06/2020)

EROSKI and Yurrita Group donate three tons of canned fish to the Bizkaia Red Cross.

European Food Banks Federation (20/06/2020)

The Data Collection Project goes on; interview of the President of the European Food Banks Federation by a Belgian local TV channel about the impact of COVID-19 on the work of Food Banks; European Food Banks’ initiatives to prevent food waste.

FoodWIN (20/06/2020)

Winners of the Food Waste Awards 2020 in Belgium.

SMEunited (20/06/2020)

5 minutes to reduce your food waste: online self-evaluation questionnaire for small businesses in the food sector to help them reduce their food waste.

Stop Wasting Food, Denmark (20/06/2020)

How to maintain good hygiene, take care of food and avoid food waste during the COVID-19 crisis.

WRAP (20/06/2020)

Inclusion of soft drinks to redistribution labelling guidance and additional funds within the WRAP emergency redistribution grant fund.

Zero Waste Scotland (20/06/2020)

Support offered to the Scottish food redistribution sector and hospitality organisations; expert advice to citizens to avoid food waste while staying at home during the COVID-19 lockdown.

FAO (20/06/2020)

FAO and Turkey Food loss and waste reduction campaign.

EIT (20/06/2020)

EIT Crisis Response Initiative.

Champions 12.3 (23/06/2020)

Join Champions 12.3 on 23 June 2020 at 10am EDT for a webinar that will address Food Loss and Waste in a COVID-19 World.

How to reduce food waste in your daily life: tips available in 23 EU languages! (20/06/2020)

Next Generation EU: Investing for the next generation, a major recovery plan. (20/06/2020)

No time to waste: assessing the performance of food waste prevention actions. (20/06/2020)

Follow the virtual meeting of the EU Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste on 15 June! (12/06/2020)

The 8th meeting of the EU Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste (FLW) will take place on Monday, 15 June 2020, 11:15-16:40 and will be webstreamed for all interested stakeholders.