The International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, also known as IDAFLW, is a day to recognise the colossal impact of food waste, created by the FAO.What is the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste?
The International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, or IDAFLW for short, is on the 29th of September. If you've been reading about IDAFLW and want to find out its history and what you can do to reduce food waste at home, read on.
What is THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FOOD LOSS AND WASTE?
The International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, or IDAFLW for short, is recognised on the 29th of September. It was created by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (known as FAO).
Why was the International Day of Food Loss and Waste created?
First taking place in 2020, IDAFLW was created to raise awareness of the colossal issue of food waste occurring globally. An estimated 828 million people go hungry while 40% of food produced goes to waste.
The UN has set a goal of halving food waste by 2030 as part of their Sustainable Development Goals. When we increase recognition of food waste, we get closer to meeting this ambitious goal.
How can you spread awareness of food waste on IDAFLW?
Post on your socials
You can share informative food waste content to help promote the fight against food waste - channels such as FAO, the EPA’s Stop Food Waste and, we’re biased, but our own Too Good To Go Instagram has tonnes of food waste facts and waste fighting tips.
Start a conversation in your workplace
IDAFLW is the perfect time to think about how you can tackle food waste in your workplace. Fresh fruit going brown in the office? Make sure you and your coworkers are taking it home. Milk going off before it’s used up? Look into smaller cartons or long-life alternatives that you could use. The smallest gestures add up to make a real difference.
Share your Too Good To Go rescues
We are a food-saving marketplace, working with cafes, restaurants and grocers across Ireland so you can save food at ⅓ of the initial value. Why not send a picture of the food you saved using the app on your social media or to your friends and family?
Tips for getting started in tackling food waste
When food is wasted, the water, resources, fuel and labour used in creating that food is also wasted. By making some small changes, you can have a tangible impact…- Did you know that the “best before” date is a guideline, not a hard rule? Look, smell and taste food before deciding to eat it or throw it away!
- Use your leftovers or share them with family and friends. Freeze products to make them last longer (cheese as well) and remix leftovers in creative last-minute dishes.
- Always make a shopping list before doing your groceries. That way you don’t end up with products you didn’t intend on eating in the first place.
Save a Surprise Bag using the Too Good To Go app to do good for your pocket and the planet!
Further reading:
12 food waste tips from eco experts
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