End Food Waste Australia launches national Membership to help more businesses turn food waste into value

End Food Waste Australia (EFWA) today launched End Food Waste Australia Membership. It’s the next stage of the industry food waste reduction program, the Australian Food Pact, and it opens EFWA’s proven, research-backed approach to more businesses and organisations from paddock to plate.

Since 2022, End Food Waste Australia has brought together some of the country’s most committed food businesses to measure and reduce food waste. Between 2022 and 2024, businesses working with EFWA saved $57 million and cut food waste by 13 per cent. These results show that food waste reduction is good for the bottom line as well as for the environment.*

Membership builds on that success. It brings the Australian Food Pact and The Great Unwaste Partner Hub into one model with flexible options for organisations of every size. Continuing Pact Signatories and partners from the Partner Hub are now part of the Membership network, taking EFWA’s reach from 26 Signatories to over 250 organisations.

At the centre of the new offering is the EFWA Members’ Portal, a new digital hub that gives Members one place to find tools, guides, research and campaign resources, and to connect with others working on food waste.

EFWA CEO, Wendy Hughes, said Membership was shaped by feedback from industry.

“Our partners told us they valued the expertise, insights and collaboration End Food Waste Australia offered, and they’ve seen the commercial return that comes from taking food waste seriously. For example, Bridge Road Brewers slashed food waste by over 50% in their operations through measurement, menu design and teamwork,” Ms Hughes said.

“Our partners have also told us that businesses at different stages of their food waste journey need support that matches their size, priorities and maturity. We listened. Membership means more businesses can get involved, whether they’re just starting out or ready to accelerate.”

A cost Australia and its businesses can’t afford

Australia wastes 7.6 million tonnes of food each year. That costs the economy $36.6 billion, or 1.4 per cent of GDP. For businesses, food waste costs an average of 5.6 per cent of total sales, which is money that could go straight back into margins, investment and growth.

The cost also affects the nation’s food security, 3.5 million Australian households are experiencing food insecurity. Every tonne of food lost on farm, in manufacturing, hospitality, in retail, or in the home is lost to the food system, along with the water, energy, labour and land used to produce it. Reducing waste across the supply chain keeps more food available, eases cost pressures and makes supply more resilient as climate impacts grow.

 “When we waste food, we’re wasting the money, resources and effort it took to grow, make and move it. And we’re doing that while millions of Australian households struggle to put food on the table,” Ms Hughes said.

“The good news is that the actions that strengthen our food system also make businesses more efficient and more competitive. Making the most of the food we already produce is one of the most practical things we can do for a more food-secure Australia.”

Proven value for business

End Food Waste Australia impact reporting shows what’s possible when businesses commit to change and back it with data. Over three years, businesses working with EFWA saved $57 million through food waste reduction, repurposed 982,000 tonnes of food, donated the equivalent of 254 million meals and cut emissions by 505,000 tonnes of CO2-e, which is the equivalent of taking 210,000 cars off the road for a year.*

A pathway for every organisation

Membership is built around choice, so organisations can invest in the level of support that delivers the most value for them:

• Associate Membership is for councils, schools, universities, not-for-profits and small businesses starting their food waste journey. It includes access to the Members’ Portal, practical guides, a simple measurement tool, learnings and resource kits, and The Great Unwaste campaign materials to support Australian households to save food at home.
  
• Full Membership lets businesses go further with self-guided, supported or bespoke packages designed to find savings and unlock new revenue. These can include on-site sprints, site food loss mapping, advanced forecasting, joint business planning and industry working groups. All packages are aligned to the ISO food loss and waste standard and EFWA’s Food Waste Maturity Model.

“No single organisation can end food waste alone,” Ms Hughes said. “Membership helps build the collective action needed to change the whole system, so businesses and communities can save money, tap into new revenue streams, reduce their environmental impact and help build a more food-secure Australia.”

Organisations can find out more and join at www.endfoodwaste.com.au/membership  

*Source: Australian Food Pact Impact Report 2022–24