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Collaboration is key to reducing food loss and waste

Yume founder and food waste expert, Katy Barfield

This International Food Loss and Waste Day (September 29), Yume is calling upon the industry to rally together to deliver on Australia’s target to halve food waste by 2030.

Tech startup and social enterprise Yume is at the forefront of a rapidly changing industry, with business leaders implementing solutions to target food waste across supply chains both nationally and internationally.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which is driving the day, has signposted ‘collaboration and partnerships are essential in maximising the positive impacts of reducing food loss and waste’ as a key message of the event.

Companies including Mars Food Australia, Unilever, Kellogg’s, The Cordina Group and General Mills have been leading the way and working with Yume to implement new clearance and donation technology within their supply chains. With Yume technology, Yume and its users have redistributed 4 million kilograms of surplus food to other businesses and charities to date.

Yume founder and food waste expert, Katy Barfield believes the move towards collaboration within the industry is key to solving the 3.2 million tonnes of food waste the commercial sector is responsible for every year in Australia.

“A whole industry approach is essential to significantly moving the dial on our food waste problem. With initiatives such as Stop Food Waste Australia’s Australian Food Pact, businesses have the tools they need to drive the industry forward, together,” Barfield said.

The Australian Food Pact is a voluntary agreement that brings together organisations in pre-competitive collaboration to make food systems more sustainable, resilient, and circular.

Stop Food Waste Australia’s chief operating officer, Mark Barthel, said the multi-year commitment by the businesses who grow, make and sell our food is a proven way to tackle food waste.

“Voluntary agreements have provided significant results in the UK and momentum is building in Australia. By working together, we are helping businesses create new value by following the food waste hierarchy, preventing food waste in the first place, donating good food, and supporting food chain transformation and innovation. It is encouraging to see more and more industry leaders joining the Australian Food Pact and working with Pact Solution Providers like Yume,” Barthel explained.

Barfield said she hopes to see an industry where all food manufacturers and buyers interested in sustainable procurement prioritise the transition to climate smart infrastructure and technologies.

“The industry is moving in the right direction in its attitude and action on food waste. Businesses increasingly understand that sustainable practice isn’t just good for the environment, it’s good for business.”

Australia Food Pact signatories who currently use Yume include Mars Food Australia and Sodexo.

Read more about the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste here.

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