This Sunday the 29th of September is International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAWFL), which is a day designed to highlight the growing global concern of food loss and waste.
Scale of Food Waste in the Events Industry
Food waste is a major issue in the events industry, with around a fifth of the food prepared for large events being wasted (Event Industry News 2019; Headbox 2023). Much of this waste stems from a combination of overestimation of guest numbers, misjudged portion sizes, and a lack of effective redistribution practices. As food is often prepared in bulk, a significant amount of surplus food becomes inevitable, particularly when it comes to buffet-style catering. Additionally, stringent food safety regulations often result in the disposal of excess food rather than its redistribution.
In light of these challenges, we encourage event organisers, caterers, and venues to reassess their practices and develop more sustainable solutions to combat this global problem.
The Environmental Impact
Food loss and waste have far-reaching environmental consequences. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) highlights that 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions are linked to food that is produced but not consumed. In the events industry, the overproduction of food significantly contributes to this problem, with the resources involved in food production—such as water, energy, and land—being used unsustainably when food is discarded.
By raising awareness about food waste, the IDAWFL encourages event professionals to reduce their environmental footprint. Implementing waste reduction strategies, such as better menu planning, accurate guest counts, and partnerships with food redistribution organisations, can help minimise the amount of food wasted significantly. The events industry has a unique opportunity to lead by example, demonstrating that large gatherings can still be sustainable when planned carefully.
Social and Economic Implications
In addition to the environmental consequences, food waste has significant social and economic implications. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) reports that around 931 million tonnes of food is wasted globally each year, while millions of people suffer from food insecurity. The events industry has the potential to make a positive social impact by addressing food waste and redirecting surplus food to those in need.
By participating in the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, event organisers can foster a culture of responsibility and sustainability, aligning their business practices with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12.3, which aims to halve food waste by 2030. The awareness day provides a platform to encourage the adoption of better food management systems and inspire change across the industry.
The Role of Technology and Innovation
Technology offers promising solutions to the food waste challenge in the events industry. For example, data analytics can help event organisers make more accurate predictions about food quantities based on past attendance and consumption trends. Digital platforms like Olio or Too Good To Go also enable the redistribution of surplus food to local communities, reducing the amount of food that ends up in landfills. The IDAWFL serves as an important reminder for the events industry to embrace such innovations and take proactive steps towards reducing food waste and minimising the food scarcity gap.
In summary, the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste sheds light on the crucial responsibility we have as event professionals to address the issue of food waste within our industry. Through improved planning, food redistribution, and responsible waste management, the sector can reduce its environmental footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.
References:
Headbox, 2023. How to Reduce Food Waste in the Events Industry. https://www.headbox.com/business/post/how-to-reduce-food-waste-in-the-events-industry
Event Industry News, 2019. Survey sheds light on industry food waste. https://www.eventindustrynews.com/news/survey-sheds-light-on-industry-food-waste
United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. 2021. Food wastage footprint: Impacts on natural resources. FAO.
United Nations Environment Programme. 2021. Food waste index report 2021. UNEP.
Too Good To Go. About us. Retrieved from https://toogoodtogo.co.uk/en-gb
Beyond Food, Lime Venue Portfolio. 2019. Food waste in events. Survey conducted by Beyond Food and Lime Venue Portfolio in partnership with BCD Meetings and Events. https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/5146564/LVP-Beyond-Food-Report-FINAL.pdf
Comments