National Food Waste Prevention Day

February 5 is National Food Waste Prevention Day in Italy, established to raise awareness of this important issue.

According to data from the Waste Watcher International Observatory, in 2024 each Italian citizen wasted an average of 80.9 grams of food per day, or 566.3 grams per week. This represents an increase of 8.05% over the previous year. Household food waste has an estimated cost of about 290 euros per year per family, or about 126 euros per capita.

At the national level, total food waste is estimated at over 13 billion euros, including household waste (over 7.4 billion euros) and waste in distribution (about 4 billion euros).

The most frequently wasted foods are fresh fruit (25.4 grams), followed by onions, garlic and tubers, fresh bread (20.1 grams), salads (13.8 grams) and vegetables (13.2 grams).

It is important to note that food waste not only results in economic loss, but also has significant environmental impacts, contributing to unnecessary consumption of natural resources and increased greenhouse gas emissions.

To counter this phenomenon, it is essential to adopt more sustainable daily practices, such as planning purchases, storing food properly and using surplus in the kitchen.

What is IULM doing to encourage food waste reduction?

IULM implements concrete actions, through its selected suppliers, to help reduce food waste:

• IULM Restaurant, IULM Cafè and Caffè letterario (Compass Group): On campus, the cafeteria and bar are part of the Compass Box initiative, offering leftover food at a symbolic price at the end of each day. Additionally, on February 5, a special menu will be created using repurposed ingredients.
• Food Academy: at the end of each day, leftover food is collected and donated to a group home in Cesano Boscone so that waste is totally eliminated.

Everyday actions

“Food waste occurs all along the agrifood chain, but it is estimated that the greatest damage is done at the household level.” Professor Nicola Sorrentino, a specialist in Food Science and Dietetics and Director of IULM Food Academy, explains how one of the main causes is inattention. Here then are his recommendations for preventing food waste in everyday life:

• Plan your grocery shopping: before going to the supermarket, making a detailed list helps to buy only what is really needed, avoiding impulsive purchases and waste;
• Buy produce in bulk: buying fruits and vegetables in bulk allows you not only to choose the best quality, but also the quantity you need, avoiding overly large packages.
• Check expiration dates: always check the expiration date of foods and consume the most perishable ones before they expire;
• Store food properly: place groceries in the refrigerator within an hour of purchase, making sure the refrigerator temperature is between 4 and 5 degrees, to keep food fresh longer;
• Storing leftovers: use airtight containers to store leftovers in the refrigerator and consume them later;
• Experiment with creative cooking: make use of food scraps and/or leftovers for “crafty” recipes;
• Use anti-waste apps: Take advantage of anti-waste apps, to buy expiring food from supermarkets and restaurants at reduced prices, helping to reduce waste.

Sources:

https://www.sprecozero.it/waste-watcher/  

https://www.wwf.it/pandanews/ambiente/non-gettiamo-soldi-e-natura-nella-spazzatura