The major challenge for global food systems centers on revolutionizing how food is produced, processed, sold, consumed, and disposed of. This transformation is urgent with worldwide hunger on the rise, and the World Food Program reports one-fifth of food produced globally is lost or wasted—equivalent to about one billion meals each day.
Efforts to reduce food loss and waste are critical not only for preserving food but also for conserving the vast resources used in its production. When food is tossed, so too are the water, land, energy, labor, and money invested, which altogether contribute significantly to food waste generating up to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Further, food loss and waste can drive up food prices, thereby worsening food security and availability. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), tackling food loss and waste effectively can improve food supply and accessibility, especially when reductions are closely aligned with consumption areas.
Food security ranks high on the agenda for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). The organization acknowledges the importance of agricultural productivity, global trade, and the prevention of food loss and waste, committing to fully implement the Food Security Roadmap Towards 2030.
Prior to the Food Security Ministerial Meeting scheduled for August 17-18, 2024, APEC hosted workshops focused on challenges and opportunities to mitigate food loss and waste within the region. Key discussions revolved around policy formulation, technology innovation, and stakeholder collaboration.
Experts underscored the need for effective public policies and regulatory frameworks impacting food systems from production through retail and consumption. Maximo Torero Cullen, the FAO’s chief economist, stated, "Policy goals for food loss and waste reduction must recognize the links among social, environmental, and economic aspects across the food system. Policies must acknowledge trade-offs and take a holistic view of agri-food systems. Policy coherence must be ensured."
Data from 2021 indicated around 13.2 percent of food is lost globally at different stages of the supply chain. The economic loss attributed to this food wastage stands at about USD 400 billion annually, illustrating the financial impact alongside the ethical and environmental concerns.
Countries like Peru have taken steps to address food loss and waste through concerted domestic policies. Approximately 12.8 million tons of food are lost or wasted annually here, prompting the government to introduce regulations promoting food rescue through intersectoral and intergovernmental collaboration.
Peru is notable for establishing legal frameworks to deter food waste by requiring donations of food with lost commercial value instead of allowing disposal. This legislation, enacted back in 2016, tripled donations to the major food bank Banco de Alimentos Perú and updated tax laws to provide incentives for donations.
Sara Laughton, director of the World Food Program in Peru, described the country as a leader for creating favorable environments for food rescue efforts. Additional regulations passed are aimed at promoting food recovery through educational initiatives and tracking the impact of these efforts.
The role of technological innovation is also significant. New technologies can drastically reduce food loss, from improving harvest efficiency to connecting producers directly with consumers through mobile apps.
"Technological innovation is critical for reducing food loss and waste," Dr. Sun Hui noted. Investing more resources in innovation would support smallholder farmers and pivot the agri-food system from traditional methods to smart technology.
Investments like enhancing waste management systems can lead to cost savings and improved operational efficiency. Dr. Matthew Tan, associate professor at Singapore Institute of Technology, stated efficient waste processing practices are key to both effective waste management and minimizing emissions.
Regional and international collaboration is imperative to address the global nature of food loss and waste. APEC, as a cooperative forum, has positioned itself to strengthen connections among various stakeholders to effectively combat food waste and loss issues.
Nita Yulianis from Indonesia's National Food Agency emphasized the need for synergy across all sectors for successful food rescue initiatives. This collaborative approach not only enhances policy effectiveness but also fosters innovative solutions drawn from diverse knowledge bases and experiences.
Juan David Saenz Henao of the OECD discussed the importance of engaging with stakeholders to refine policy instruments through evaluations and informed future developments. He explained, "The progress we've made has been thanks to our engagement with stakeholders, who possess critical knowledge and data to fill monitoring gaps."
Finally, as Peru gears up to host the APEC Food Security Ministerial Meeting, discussions aiming to bolster food security through cooperative frameworks are underway. This gathering is expected to shape the development of initiatives outlined within the framework of the 2024 Ministerial Declaration concerning food security.
