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Food Loss and Waste Prevention Strategies from Farm to Fork

Author

Listed:
  • Rosalinda Nicastro

    (Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy)

  • Petronia Carillo

    (Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy)

Abstract

About one-third of the food produced globally for human consumption is lost or wasted each year. This represents a loss of natural resources consumed along the food supply chain that can also have negative impacts on food security. While food loss occurs between production and distribution and is prevalent in low-income countries, food waste occurs mainly at the consumer level, in the retail and food service sectors, and especially in developed countries. Preventing food losses and waste is therefore a potential strategy for better balance food supply and demand and is essential to improve food security while reducing environmental impact and providing economic benefits to the different actors in the food supply chain. In this context, we specifically provide an overview of case studies and examples of legislation from different countries and actions carried out by the various actors in the food chain and by non-profit organisations to effectively prevent and or reduce food loss and waste. We also outline current limitations and possible research avenues. We conclude that the comparison and the integration of knowledge, and the awareness of where along the food chain, for which foods and in which countries the greatest losses are produced, is essential to decide where and how to target efforts in the most effective way.

Suggested Citation

  • Rosalinda Nicastro & Petronia Carillo, 2021. "Food Loss and Waste Prevention Strategies from Farm to Fork," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-23, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:10:p:5443-:d:553672
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Shahin Ghaziani & Gholamreza Dehbozorgi & Mohammad Bakhshoodeh & Reiner Doluschitz, 2023. "Identifying Loss and Waste Hotspots and Data Gaps throughout the Wheat and Bread Lifecycle in the Fars Province of Iran through Value Stream Mapping," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-24, May.
    6. Tamíris Pacheco da Costa & James Gillespie & Katarzyna Pelc & Abi Adefisan & Michael Adefisan & Ramakrishnan Ramanathan & Fionnuala Murphy, 2022. "Life Cycle Assessment Tool for Food Supply Chain Environmental Evaluation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-24, December.
    7. Mirela Stanciu & Agatha Popescu & Iuliana Antonie & Camelia Sava & Bogdan Gabriel Nistoreanu, 2022. "Good Practices on Reducing Food Waste Throughout the Food Supply Chain," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 24(60), pages 566-566, April.
    8. Dimitrie Stoica & Angela-Eliza Micu & Maricica Stoica, 2022. "The Impact of Economic Drivers on Food Loss Management," Ovidius University Annals, Economic Sciences Series, Ovidius University of Constantza, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 0(1), pages 753-761, September.
    9. Rose Daphnee Tchonkouang & Helen Onyeaka & Taghi Miri, 2023. "From Waste to Plate: Exploring the Impact of Food Waste Valorisation on Achieving Zero Hunger," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-21, July.
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    11. Ana Clara Borrego & Rute Abreu & Francisco Alegria Carreira & Filipe Caetano & Ana Lúcia Vasconcelos, 2023. "Environmental Taxation on the Agri-Food Sector and the Farm to Fork Strategy: The Portuguese Case," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-18, August.
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    13. Silas Mukwarami & Chekani Nkwaira & Huibrecht Margaretha van der Poll, 2023. "Environmental Management Accounting Implementation Challenges and Supply Chain Management in Emerging Economies’ Manufacturing Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-18, January.

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