NZ FOOD WASTE CHAMPIONS 12.3
New Zealand Food Waste Champions 12.3 Trust is a national and independent charitable organisation that holds a whole-of-system lens on food waste
Our vision is
He taonga te kai – an Aotearoa where food is valued, not wasted
We are driving change in food waste through strategic advocacy and tangible action across the food system
We bring together stakeholders from industry, community Government agencies and the wider food value chain to enable Aotearoa New Zealand's progress towards halving food waste by 2030 in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.3
Our work supports New Zealand food businesses to be best positioned to trade in the global marketplace by aligning to international economic and sustainability practices
Executive Director Kaitlin Dawson on system-wide food waste reduction
Why food waste matters
A third of food produced is lost or wasted from farm to fork. We have an opportunity in Aotearoa New Zealand to lead the world in sustainable food production and prevent food from being wasted. Tackling food waste leads to triple wins: environmentally, economically and socially.
Climate
Action
Food loss and waste currently contributes to 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing food waste is ranked as the third best global solution in addressing climate change (Project Drawdown).
Saving
Money
Economic losses from food waste are estimated at US $940B per year. Food businesses could face a 14-fold return on investment opportunity if they introduce food waste reduction measures (Global Champions 12.3).
Feeding
People
One in nine people in the world is undernourished. Redistributing food through food rescue charities significantly assists people who face food insecurity (Food and Agriculture Organisation, United Nations).
Of the world’s largest food companies, more than two thirds have set targets in line with SDG 12.3.
Governments representing 50% of the world’s population have set an explicit national target in line with SDG 12.3.