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International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste

Join the global movement and help reduce food waste on International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste - every effort counts!
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When it is?
September 29
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International
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Introduction

Let's celebrate International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste on Sept. 29 by taking action to reduce food waste! We can all make a difference in helping to raise awareness on this important issue, as around one-third of the food produced in the world is lost or wasted every year. This day was first established by the United Nations in December 2019 with the goal of reducing the amount of food that goes to waste and increasing efficiency in food production. So join us in showing your commitment to fighting global hunger and reducing our carbon footprint – let's work together to make a difference!

History of International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste

International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste Timeline

<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1945</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>United Nations Founded</div><div class='timeline-text'>In an effort to promote peace and global cooperation, the United Nations (UN) was established, later becoming a key player in the fight against food loss and waste.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1974</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>World Food Conference</div><div class='timeline-text'>The UN's first World Food Conference takes place, recognizing the world's food crisis and the need for international cooperation in managing the world's food supply.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1996</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Global Effort Against Hunger</div><div class='timeline-text'>World Food Summit commits to halving the number of undernourished people by 2015, highlighting the gravity of food waste and loss.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2011</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Food Waste Report Created</div><div class='timeline-text'>FAO publishes first-ever report on global food losses and waste. Results motivate UN to work earnestly towards reducing food waste.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2015</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>SDGs Established</div><div class='timeline-text'>UN establishes Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG12, aiming to halve per capita global food waste and reduce food losses by 2030.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2019</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Food Loss and Waste Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>The United Nations General Assembly proclaims September 29 as the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste.</div></div></div>

How to Celebrate International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste

<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Reduce food waste</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Start by taking steps to reduce the amount of food waste you create. Try to only buy what you need, use up leftovers and compost kitchen scraps.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Share extra food</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>If you have extra food that you are not able to eat or use, consider sharing it with friends or donating it to a food pantry. There are also apps that can help connect people with extra food with those in need.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Support local farmers</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Buying local produce from farmers, who are using sustainable growing methods, can help reduce the amount of food loss and waste in the supply chain.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Grow your own food</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Growing your own food is an excellent way to reduce food loss and waste. Plant a garden, start a compost pile and get to know your local farmers markets.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Educate others</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Help spread awareness about the issue of food loss and waste by talking to family and friends about the importance of reducing food waste. Share facts and stories on social media or host an event to help educate people about the issue.</p></div></div>

Why International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste is Important

<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Food loss and waste has a large environmental impact</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Food that is wasted requires energy, water and land resources to produce, but when this food is wasted it goes to landfill where it decomposes and emits potent greenhouse gases. Not only that, but the resources needed to transport uneaten food creates additional carbon emissions and pollution.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Food loss and waste has an economic impact</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>In addition to the environmental costs of food waste, there are also financial ones. Wasted food means lost revenue for businesses and individuals – both in terms of money spent on production and transportation, as well as the potential profits from sales of those products.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Reducing food loss and waste helps fight hunger</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Food loss in developing countries contributes significantly to malnutrition and starvation. By reducing our global food losses, we’re able to redistribute what would have been wasted food to those in need around the world – helping fight poverty while helping those on the brink of starvation.</p></div></div>

5 Shocking Facts About Food Loss and Waste

International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste FAQs

When is International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste?

International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste is celebrated on September 29th every year. In 2024, the date falls on a Sunday.

International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste Dates

Year
Date
Day

2023

Sep 29

Friday

2024

Sep 29

Sunday

2025

Sep 29

Monday

2026

Sep 29

Tuesday

2027

Sep 29

Wednesday

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