COVID-19 has sparked a food loss crisis. Here are three ways to tackle it

By:
Liz Goodwin and Esben Lunde Larsen
World Resources Institute (WRI)
Date:
2020

Three changes to the way the food business works can significantly reduce food waste and the burgeoning food insecurity:

  • Government facilitation and redistribution: National governments have the ability to connect actors across the food chain. In some countries, like France, retailers are required to donate unsold food to charities.
  • Technologies that connect farmers with in-need groups: Apps and mobile technologies can connect farmers to vendors, and alert local charities to surplus food. Connecting Farmers to markets and retailers to consumers will dramatically reduce food loss.
  • Increased risk sharing: Stabilisation of food supply chains is essential for everyone, especially smallholders. A movement for retailers to commit to purchasing food from farmers even if there is an issue with distribution or harvest is proving to work. Governments have a responsibility to ensure that worker’s wages are secure when farmers and producers are facing uncertainty.
This resource is based on experience or opinion