End Food Waste Australia appoints Wendy Hughes as Chief Executive Officer
Wednesday 11 June, 2026
End Food Waste Australia (EFWA) has appointed Wendy Hughes as Chief Executive Officer after three months in the role of Acting CEO.
The appointment comes as EFWA continues its work with industry, government and its Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) partners to support Australia’s goal of halving food waste by 2030.
Chair of the Board Geoff Starr said Wendy had shown the leadership and collaborative approach needed to guide the organisation in its next phase.
“Wendy has quickly built strong relationships across our industry, government and CRC partners, helping ensure research is translated into outcomes that benefit businesses, communities and the environment,” Mr Starr said.
“Her experience in advocacy, stakeholder engagement and policy makes her well placed to lead the organisation as we step up action on food waste across Australia.”
Wendy joined EFWA in April 2025 as Director – Policy, Communications and Strategic Engagement and has since helped strengthen the organisation’s collaboration across the food system.
Wendy has more than 20 years’ leadership experience across government, agribusiness, higher education and the not-for-profit sector. Before joining EFWA, she was Chief Executive Officer of COUCH and held senior advocacy and leadership roles in regional Queensland.
Ms Hughes said reducing food waste was critical to building a more productive, resilient and sustainable food system.
“We can’t talk about the future of food in Australia without talking about food waste,” she said.
“When food is discarded, we lose the value, effort and resources invested in producing it. Food waste costs Australia around 1.4 per cent of GDP and remains a major inefficiency in our food system.”
“Reducing food waste is one of the clearest opportunities we have to improve food security, strengthen the economy and reduce environmental impacts. I’m proud to lead EFWA as we work with industry, government and our CRC partners to turn knowledge into action and scale solutions that deliver real impact.”
As Chief Executive Officer, Ms Hughes will lead EFWA’s efforts to reduce food waste nationally through collaboration across the food system.
ENDS
About End Food Waste Australia
End Food Waste Australia’s vision is an Australia without food waste, starting with halving food waste by 2030. We will end food waste in Australia through research and innovation, industry action, policy development and behaviourchange.
We conduct world-leading research through the End Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre, funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Industry, Science and Resources. We lead bold and innovative industry action and collaboration through the Australian Food Pact and Sector Action Plans.
End Food Waste Australia has formed one of the world’s largest dedicated public-private partnerships of more than 100 organisations focused on addressing Australia’s $36.6 billion food waste challenge. Together, we aim to create a more productive, sustainable, and resilient Australian food system by ending food waste and food insecurity. For more information: www.endfoodwaste.com.au
Media contact
Jocelyn Somerford, Corporate Communications Manager, End Food Waste Australia
Ph: 0426 220 181 Email: jocelyn@endfoodwaste.com.au