The case of reducing food losses and waste; Engaging Consumers for Change by Toine Timmermans, WUR 11 October 2016. Brussels. The role of consumers in the sustainable consumption and production in Europe and in developing countries

1. The case of Reducing Food Loss & Waste
Engaging Consumers for Change
Food2030: Consumers and Global Food Systems
Toine Timmermans, Brussels, 11 October 2016

2. Some relevant trends in the Food world
& drivers for the FLW issue
 The challenge of overpopulation - 9.6 bln people in 2050 -
60% more food production globally in 2050
 The challenge of urbanisation - in 2050 - 70% of population is
living in urban areas
● Equivalent of building a new city for one million people
every week in the next 35 years
 The challenge of beating malnourishment
 Changing diets
 Increase in obesitas & chronic diseases

3. Food loss & waste – A GLOBAL challenge
% waste
Steps in food
chain
Low income
countries
High/medium
income
countries
Source: FAO, 2011 (modified)

4. European & global targets & initiatives
SDG 12.3:
 By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and
consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply
chains, including post-harvest losses
 EC Circular Economy Package Target = SDG 12.3

5. REFRESH is funded by the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme of the European Union under Grant
Agreement no. 641933. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of REFRESH and
can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union
Resource Efficient Food and dRink for
the Entire Supply cHain (2015 – 2019)
26 partners
Multi stakeholder platforms: the
Netherlands, Germany, Spain,
Hungary, China

6. www.eu-refresh.org
The REFRESH Project
A central ambition of the REFRESH project is to develop a
‘Framework of Action’ model that is based on strategic
agreements across all stages of the supply chain (backed by
Governments), delivered through collaborative working and
supported by evidence-based tools to allow targeted, cost
effective interventions.
Success will support transformation towards a more sustainable
food system, based on Circular Economy principles, benefitting
Europe’s economy, environment and society.

7. CGIAR – CCAFS Program Reducing FLW
 New program in the context of Climate Change
Agriculture and Food Security (2016 – 2022)
 2016 Inception stage
 2017 Develop new Public-private Partnerships

8. CGIAR – CCAFS Program Reducing FLW
The CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) is carried
out with support from CGIAR Fund Donors and through bilateral funding agreements. For details
please visit https://ccafs.cgiar.org/donors.

9.  In developed countries about 45-50% of food waste occurs at
household level
 Growing awareness among consumers, also supported by awareness
raising events (e.g. DamnFoodWaste, Feeding5000,
UnitedAgainstFoodwaste)
 Campaigns can work (e.g. LoveFoodHateWaste, ForMat), impact
most likely higher when combined with specific interventions
 Money saving & moral aspect around food waste are the main
drivers for consumers
Key lessons and challenges to share on
consumer behaviour

10. Some evidence for successful consumer driven approaches:
● Role of education: the value of food – short & longer term
impacts
● Food battle shows, 30-40% saving is “quick win”: planning,
tailor-made cooking, left-overs, date labels
● Supported by ICT-tools, planning, smart fridge, smart labels,
etc.
 Business opportunities (shelf life, brand value, packaging, new
product innovation, communication & marketing)
 Public private models & voluntary agreements for integral solutions
Key lessons and challenges to share on
consumer behaviour

11.  Future food systems design from a circular economy perspective
 Linking global challenges (SDG 12.3) to national/regional
“ecosystems”. Multi-stakeholderplatform: business, government,
science/innovation, civil society.
 Towards a more personalised and customised food supply chain
(with >50% less food waste) -> resilient & responsive
 Consumer at the central point from different roles (consumer
understanding, consumer interaction/dialogue/testing, empowered &
engaged consumer)
Recommendations