Food loss
Food loss is the decrease in the quantity or quality of food resulting from decisions and actions by food suppliers in the chain, excluding retailers, food service providers and consumers (State of Food and Agriculture [SOFA], 2019). Empirically, the term refers to any food that is discarded, incinerated or otherwise disposed of along the food supply chain, which starts with harvest/slaughter/catch up to but excluding the retail level, and the food does not re-enter the supply chain for any other productive use, such as for feed or seed.
The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
Research conducted by IFPRI provides innovative, evidence-based policy solutions to enhance food security and fight poverty. One of IFPRI’s cutting-edge studies is the measurement of food loss and waste at all stages – from production and post-production to processing, distribution and consumption – in order to identify the origin and cost of food waste and loss at the local, regional and global level. Currently, IFPRI is working with the CGIAR Research Program on Policies, Institutions, and Markets (PIM) to better understand the level of investment required to effectively reduce post-harvest losses through the development of infrastructure and improvement of technology combined with best practices.
Community of Practice (CoP) on food loss reduction
As a member of the Community of Practice on food loss and waste reduction you will be able to access the Forum, participate in online discussions, get in touch with other practitioners, share and request relevant and updated information, contribute to building a worldwide community that aims to reduce food losses and achieve food security.
The Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists-G20 food loss and waste research platform
Take part in the global research network on reduction of food losses & food waste – be part of the solution!
This Technical Platform on Food Loss and Waste contributes to the Food is Never Waste Coalition, which was established as a result of the United Nations Food Systems Summit in September 2021.