He taonga te kai – an Aotearoa where food is valued not wasted

Abstract

Food waste is a significant problem in Aotearoa New Zealand. It puts unnecessary pressure on our environment, it creates emissions, it contributes to food poverty, and it is a lost economic opportunity. What we need to do is to stop accepting waste generation as a necessary ingrained part of our production and consumption systems. Rather we need to think boldly about creating a whole menu of solutions to reduce food waste. This paper overviews what we know about food waste at each stage of the supply chain, providing both an overview of quantities and drivers of waste, before presenting key actions and recommendations for change. A call is made to NZ's economic society for research demonstrating the business case for food waste reduction, at a national, regional, and business level, to help spur investment in this crucial area. Likewise, economic analyses that show which potential solutions yield the highest overall economic impact are also encouraged.