Sept. 29, 2020, is the first-ever observance of the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste.

The United Nations General Assembly designated the observance in 2019, recognizing the fundamental role that sustainable food production plays in promoting food security and nutrition.

Reducing food losses and waste is essential in a world where the number of peopled affected by hunger has been on the rise since 2014, and tons of edible food are lost or wasted every day.

When food is lost or wasted, all the resources that were used to produce the food, including water, land, energy, labor and capital, are wasted. In addition, the disposal of food in landfills leads to greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change.

That is the reason why the theme for the first observance will be "Stop food loss and waste for the people, for the planet.

Actions are required both globally and locally to maximize the use of food. The introduction of technologies, innovative solutions, new ways of working and good practices to manage food quality and reduce food loss and waste are key to implementing change.

Reducing food loss and waste requires the action of all, from food producers to retailers to consumers.

Did you know?

USDA highlights three of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United States messages in a blog. The messages:

The Natural Resources Defense Council created Save the Food, which contains tips and recipes to help prevent food waste at home. The organization also updated their report, Wasted: How America is Losing up to 40 Percent of its Food from Farm to Fork to Landfill.

Source: United Nations, USDA, NRDC