Food waste is a global problem that has both ecological and social consequences. Every year millions of tons of foodstuffs are discarded worldwide, even though millions of people are suffering from hunger. As the leading global trade fair for the food industry, Anuga would like to push the discussion about food waste: By offering exhibitors and leading institutions an international exchange platform, sustainable solutions can be discussed early. New, innovative technologies are required to reduce food waste. The industry participants must work together, from the production to the processing segments and from the trade through to the consumers.
"We would like to support companies in presenting their latest technologies and strategies that combat food waste at Anuga and in the scope of the Anuga Horizon Summit," said Jan Philipp Hartmann, Director of Anuga.
This enables a productive exchange between the participants and allows them to establish new partnerships and exploit synergies.
Hartmann continued that together. The industry can address the global challenges of the industry, and, true to this year's key topic, the industry can find innovative ways to promote sustainable growth.
"Because the most sustainable and most effective solution for creating a world without hunger is without doubt decisively stopping food wastage."
According to the EU Commission, EU countries will reduce retail and consumer food waste by 2030. This is totally in the interests of the consumers, according to a current survey by the Anuga knowledge partner, Innova Market Insights. Consumers place reducing food waste at the top of their list of environmentally-conscious measures.
Almost half of the consumers (46 percent) actively assert themselves for reducing food waste, whilst 36 percent direct their efforts towards recycling, upcycling and reusing products. Beyond this, almost nine out of ten consumers sometimes consider the environment when choosing their food. Further figures, data and facts are available in the current blog article on food waste.
It is becoming evident that the consumers' awareness of the planet's health is growing increasingly and that they expect the food industry to make corresponding efforts. This signifies the need for product innovations and solutions that sustainably improve the global food system.
An ambitious congress and event programme will complement the leading global trade fair of the food industry and offer many networking opportunities.
Thanks to new partnerships such as the ones with EIT Food, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology and UNIDO, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, the most critical issues of the industry will be addressed and innovations presented and discussed in the scope of conferences, workshops, experience areas and speaker sessions.
On the 7th of October, the first-class specialised event of UNIDO will, in the scope of Anuga, highlight the challenges that particularly people suffering from hunger in rural areas are confronted with. The side event presents analytical surveys, innovations and political options for overcoming the global challenge.
Special attention will be placed on the role of players from the private sector and partnerships as well as technology as the groundbreaker for ending hunger in the world. To address these and other industry challenges and discuss possible solutions, the theme of Supply Chain Disruption will also be touched upon in the scope of the UNIDO side event on the 8th of October.
Anuga has been offering the exhibiting companies the opportunity to donate surplus food, sample products or products with a short sell-by date to food banks for many years. Over the past three years, almost 500 Euro pallets of food have been collected. Other trade fairs, such as the ISM, also participate in this campaign.
These donations have directly and positively influenced the lives of needy people. Passing on these foodstuffs not only helps fight hunger but also contributes towards saving valuable resources. Germany's food bank, the Tafel, will again participate in this year's Anuga and will take the opportunity to inform visitors about the possibility of donating and the subsequent distribution thereof.
