Today, ESAFF Uganda joins the world to observe the 5th International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste. Food loss and waste (FLW) is a significant global challenge. The United Nations has estimated that 30–40% of food produced globally is either lost or wasted, leading to economic inefficiencies, environmental degradation, and worsening food insecurity. In Uganda, where over 70% of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihoods, these issues are particularly pressing, with food loss and waste impacting the most vulnerable communities.
Understanding Food Loss and Waste
Food loss occurs at various stages of the food production chain, from inefficient harvesting methods to inadequate storage, processing, and transportation infrastructure. Small-scale farmers in Uganda suffer disproportionately, frequently losing up to 40% of their produce due to inadequate post-harvest handling and limited access to modern agricultural technologies.
Food waste, on the other hand, occurs primarily at the consumer and retail levels. Aesthetic standards or unplanned purchasing lead to the discarding of large quantities of perfectly edible food. According to UNEP (2024), consumer behaviour and retail practices account for significant portions of food waste globally.
The Economic, Environmental, and Social Impacts
The economic consequences of food loss and waste are profound. For small-scale farmers, losses mean wasted resources—time, labour, and capital invested in food production that never reaches the market. Environmentally, the decomposing food in landfills generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Additionally, the production of wasted food consumes valuable natural resources such as land, water, and energy, exacerbating the burden on the planet’s ecosystems.
Socially, food waste highlights a stark ethical dilemma. While 12% of Uganda’s population remains food insecure, large amounts of edible food are discarded, reflecting the critical need to better manage our food systems. Malnutrition, hunger, and health issues associated with poor nutrition remain prevalent, further compounding the issue of food loss and waste in vulnerable communities.
The Launch of three Informative Materials
On this International Food Loss and Waste Awareness Day, ESAFF Uganda launches three important information materials:
We proudly launch a critical publication titled "Key Questions About Food Loss and Waste." This timely release serves as both a reflection on the devastating effects of food loss and waste globally and a call to action for policymakers, small-scale farmers, consumers, and businesses to collectively address this urgent issue.
Access the publication on "Key Questions About Food Loss and Waste": https://www.esaffuganda.org/_files/ugd/7283b6_dfb6d8c232d34ae2b85c9422e489506e.pdf?index=true
Additionally, we are proud to launch an infographic video title “Ten Ways to Minimise Food Loss and Waste." This video is highlighting actionable steps to combat food loss and waste. Through this video, small-scale farmers want to engage consumers to take action to reduce food waste. ESAFF Uganda reiterates its commitment to empowering small-scale farmers and communities to build resilient food systems.
Access the video “Ten Ways to Minimise Food Loss and Waste”: https://youtu.be/I92SQk4OTXU?si=H9796BOc1k_Xb9eI
We are also excited to unveil an impactful new chart “10 ways to minimise food loss and waste” highlighting critical statistics and actionable steps to combat food loss and waste. The chart reveals startling facts on food loss and the reality of food waste. It also emphasises that proper food storage, meal planning, and donating excess food are key ways to reduce waste. With clear, data-driven insights, this chart serves as a valuable resource for households, policymakers, and businesses in our collective effort to reduce food loss and ensure sustainable food systems.
Access the infographic on “10 ways to minimise food loss and waste”: https://www.esaffuganda.org/_files/ugd/7283b6_2aedeb26e76f48a295d9a1b48c1e9352.pdf?index=true
Conclusion
On this International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, ESAFF Uganda reiterates its commitment to empowering small-scale farmers and consumers to build resilient food systems. The launch of these various informative materials is a significant step toward not only addressing the critical questions surrounding food loss and waste, but also fostering collaboration across the food value chain to mitigate these issues.
We invite you to explore these materials available now on our website and join us in taking collective action to ensure a just, sustainable, and food-secure future for all.
Let’s take action to save food, save resources, and save the planet!
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