WRAP has just published new research which highlights the significant environmental and efficiency benefits inherent in tackling food waste in primary production.
The first indication of the scale of food waste in primary production has been measured by WRAP for two crops: strawberries and lettuce. The details come as WRAP also announces a series of sector-wide projects tackling food waste in primary production that have brought together farmers, growers, producers, hospitality & food service businesses and retailers through the organisation’s Courtauld Commitment 2025.
A number of pioneering projects have now begun, focusing on priority crops including soft fruit, root vegetables and salad. Each is addressing common issues that arise in production, and piloting innovative models and interventions to overcome these difficulties. The work will move towards developing guidance and best-practice case studies to help others take action and expand the working practices more widely.
The projects are the results of a roundtable meeting chaired by WRAP in 2016 that included the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), the British Retail Consortium (BRC), the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) and the National Farmers Union (NFU).
David Moon, Head of Sustainable Food at WRAP explains “Tackling food waste in primary production is a key area of Courtauld 2025 and it’s crucial that we have the facts to prioritise and direct action. We’re using our experience in mapping waste and bringing together key stakeholders to pinpoint where, why and how much waste arises on farm. The work will help the UK food supply chain become more efficient and competitive, which is crucial in the coming years. It is also critical that we have the support of retailers and producers collaborating on projects to develop and share best practices. It’s an exciting new area of work and we’re delighted to have the support of key sector groups.”
Research by the not-for-profit sustainability body highlights the benefits of tackling food waste. For the two sectors it assessed, strawberries and lettuce, WRAP estimates that £30 million ended up as waste in the UK in 2015. This waste was the result of a complex set of factors relating to forecasting and product specifications, and pest and disease damage, being cited most frequently.
Source: WRAP's press release