In Victoria, Catherine Velisha, a vegetable grower, highlights the complexities within Australia's food system, attributing issues not solely to supermarkets but to a collective responsibility involving growers, retailers, and consumers. The rejection of vegetables based on aesthetic imperfections, such as size or slight blemishes, is a contributing factor to food waste. Velisha emphasizes the power of consumer choice in driving change towards a more sustainable food system.
Annually, Australia discards nearly 8 million tonnes of food, positioning it as the tenth highest food-wasting country globally, with 70% of this waste being edible. This not only has a significant economic impact, costing Australian households and the nation billions but also contributes to environmental issues, with food waste accounting for approximately 3.5% of Australia's emissions.
Addressing this issue, Melbourne-based entrepreneurs Josh Ball and Josh Brooks-Duncan founded Farmers Pick, a venture that rescues rejected produce and makes it available to consumers. This initiative supports growers by providing an alternative market for produce that would otherwise be wasted, distributing around 120,000 kilograms of produce weekly through their operations in Melbourne and Brisbane.
The Australian government aims to halve food waste by 2030, a goal that aligns with environmental, social, and economic benefits. End Food Waste Australia (EFWA) is actively involved in this effort, offering auditing services to food businesses to identify and reduce waste. Simon George and Sons, a providore, has partnered with charity Fare Share to redirect fresh produce to those in need, demonstrating a practical approach to mitigating food waste and supporting community welfare.
As initiatives like these gain momentum, they underscore the importance of a collective approach to addressing food waste, involving consumers, businesses, and policymakers in the journey toward a more sustainable and equitable food system.
Source: ABC News