Dish It Smart: Stop Food Waste
By Alyssa Jairam
Did you know that there is an entire day dedicated to tackling food waste? – Seriously!?
It’s called ‘Stop Food Waste Day’ and is observed every year on the last Wednesday of the month of April. This year, it falls on Wednesday 30th April, 2025 and is a powerful reminder that every action, no matter how small, can help reduce food waste and create a more sustainable future. So, get ready to rethink your leftovers, rescue that wilting spinach and join the movement to stop food waste.
Purpose & Goal:
Stop Food Waste Day aims to raise awareness about the growing issue of global food waste and to inspire individuals, businesses and governments to take action. The day is an opportunity to educate the persons on the environmental, economic and ethical consequences of wasting food.
The primary goal is to encourage the reduction of food waste at all stages of the food supply chain, that is, from farm to fork. It promotes more sustainable consumption patterns, smarter food usage and responsible disposal to ensure that less food ends up in landfills around the world.
Global Statistics on Food Waste:
- According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO UN), one-third of all food produced globally (which is around 1.3 billion tons) is wasted every year.
- Food waste contributes to approximately 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. If food waste were a country, it would be the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases after the USA and China.
- In wealthier nations, food is often wasted at the consumer level, while in poorer countries it is frequently lost during production and distribution due to lack of infrastructure.
- Nearly 828 million people globally suffer from hunger, creating a stark contrast between food surplus and food insecurity.
Inauguration of the Initiative:
Stop Food Waste Day was launched in 2017 by the Compass Group of the USA which is a global food services company. The initiative ties in with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 which aims to halve global per capita food waste by 2030. Globally, governments, schools, restaurants and corporations participate in the observance through campaigns, food recovery programs, education drives and cooking demonstrations focused on leftovers and sustainable meals.
Conclusion:
Stop Food Waste Day is more than just a date on the calendar — it’s a global call to action for individuals, communities and organizations to rethink the way we produce, consume and dispose of food. By raising awareness of the environmental, social and economic impacts of food wastage, this day empowers everyone to take simple but meaningful steps toward a more sustainable future. Whether through better planning, creative use of leftovers, or responsible purchasing, reducing food waste is a shared responsibility that starts at home and extends to the world.
Every meal offers an opportunity to make a difference — so let’s dish out less waste and more impact, one bite at a time!
Want to learn more about how Kenson Group is promoting a greener environment? Discover some of the key activities through our Carbon Net Zero Capability Portfolio here: https://kenson.co.tt/kcnzcp/