UNDERSTANDING HOW TRADING PRACTICES AFFECT FOOD WASTE

THE CHALLENGE

Within the Australian context, there is limited information to date about how much food loss and waste is generated due to specific trading practices, nor has there been any systematic mapping to identify the various trading practices contributing to food loss and waste, and in turn, what can be done to effect change. Food loss and waste is a significant cost not only to industry, but also has considerable social and environment impacts. While many growers and organisations are implementing measures to reduce their own food loss and waste, trading practices – which are often enforced on actors within the supply chain by other organisations or government – can hamper these efforts. By developing an understanding of how and why trading practices are impacting food loss and waste – in either positive or negative ways – and identifying who has the power to affect change to these trading practices, this project seeks to help industry overcome barriers to reducing food loss and waste. 

OUR PLAN

This project aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of what, and how, trading practices are impacting food loss and waste – in either positive or negative ways, as well as identify the interventions and changes needed to mitigate, or at least lessen, the impact of negative trading practices.  

PROJECT OUTCOMES

1. Undertake a broad scan of trading practices (linked to government regulation and other ‘policy’ measures, such as retail trading practices) that could drive or reduce food waste in the end-to-end food value chain and develop an understanding of why these practices exist.
2. Determine if data is available to quantify food loss and waste (or food loss and waste saved) resulting from trading practice, and where possible, estimate the impact and extent of these trading practices.
3. Investigate what existing ‘policy’ interventions and changes to retail policies, practices and standards are being applied to reduce waste in Australia and overseas.
4. Produce a shortlist of viable alternative trading practices, and investigate the drivers, barriers, feasibility, precursors, and key stakeholders for each shortlisted ‘policy’ initiative (i.e., who has the power to ‘regulate or develop policy’; who will drive or enforce these measures and the likelihood of success or any perverse outcomes?).
5. Provide a series of actionable recommendations to industry and government.