Food waste charter allows firms make smart decisions
By Maurice Garvey
CEO of Tallaght-based social enterprise Foodcloud, Iseult Ward, welcomed major Irish retailers recently signing up to the national Food Waste Charter.
Retailers Tesco Ireland, Musgrave, Aldi Ireland, Lidl Ireland and BWG Group, have agreed to make food waste prevention a priority.
The charter was introduced in March 2017, to help the State achieve a 50 per cent reduction in food waste by 2030.
Ms Ward, a food waste expert, said: “FoodCloud has been an active contributor to the retail action group, advising in the area of measurement methodologies since its establishment. As recommended by the Citizen’s Assembly in November, measurement will allow businesses to make smart decisions about how to reduce food waste and take meaningful action.”
She said the UN has challenged nations to “reduce food waste by 50 per cent by 2030” and believes the Food Waste Charter will help “formally identify key areas where change is needed.”
FoodCloud now sits on the European Union Platform for Food Loss and Waste – encouraging key stakeholders in Ireland to adopt best European practices.
Ms Ward continued: “Tackling food waste is a no-brainer for any business. Not only is it hugely positive for the environment, it enables a more secure food system which is essential if we are to feed nine billion people by 2050.
“International food waste expert group Champions 12.3, has identified that for every €1 spent on food waste reduction, businesses realise a €14 return, meaning that even small changes can significantly impact the bottom line.”
Foodcloud rescues large volumes of surplus food from businesses and redistributes this to charities using technology and redistribution hubs in Tallaght, Cork and Galway.
The not-for-profit has grown at an exceptional rate, entering the UK market in 2016 through a deal with Tesco.
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