South Africa wastes enough food to feed 40 million people

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At the recent Impact Summit, Deputy Director General Mamogala Musekene delivered a thought-provoking presentation on the critical issue of food waste in South Africa.

Addressing an audience deeply concerned with sustainability, she outlined the global and local dimensions of food loss, emphasizing the urgent need for collaborative efforts across all sectors to tackle this growing challenge.

The food waste crisis is a global concern, with millions of tons of food being discarded each year, she said. This not only contributes to environmental harm but also represents a massive economic loss.

Read: SA farmers urged to adopt new tech to address food security challenges

The DDG confirmed that in South Africa, food waste is an escalating issue, particularly with key crops such as sugar, cereals, fruits, and vegetables. The country is experiencing a worrying rise in food loss across the entire value chain, from farms to retailers, and even at the household level.

Food wastage in SA is an enviromental, economic and social concern

Musekene highlighted that South Africa’s food waste problem is not just an environmental or economic issue, but a social one as well. Shockingly, the amount of food wasted in the country in a year could potentially feed up to 40 million people, significantly alleviating hunger and malnutrition. The sheer scale of this wasted opportunity underlines the need for urgent action. Food waste prevention is not only essential for reducing landfill waste and cutting greenhouse gas emissions, but it could also play a transformative role in addressing the country’s food insecurity.

The benefits of tackling food waste are multifaceted. Environmentally, reducing food waste can help lessen the burden on landfills and mitigate the environmental degradation caused by excessive waste. Economically, both businesses and consumers could save money by being more efficient with food resources. Socially, redirecting edible food that would otherwise be wasted could help millions of vulnerable South Africans struggling with hunger and malnutrition.

Although some steps have been taken to address food waste, Musekene emphasized that stronger legislative measures are necessary. South Africa must adopt a clear regulatory framework, aligned with international standards, to manage food waste across the board. She pointed out that this is crucial in ensuring that businesses, retailers, and consumers all take responsibility for reducing food loss.

Several priority areas for South Africa’s food waste strategy

In her presentation, Musekene also highlighted several priority areas for South Africa’s food waste strategy. First, the country needs to strengthen its legislative framework to ensure compliance at all levels of the food industry. Second, there should be a focus on promoting a circular economy where food waste is not discarded, but instead repurposed into valuable by-products such as compost or bioenergy. Education is another critical area, with capacity building needed to equip communities and businesses with the knowledge and skills to reduce food waste. Lastly, a system must be developed to measure food waste accurately, allowing for the setting of realistic targets for waste reduction and emission cuts.

Perhaps the most significant takeaway from the DDG’s presentation was her call for multisectoral collaboration. She made it clear that partnerships are essential if South Africa is to successfully tackle food waste. From farmers and retailers to policymakers and consumers, everyone has a role to play. Reducing food loss will not only help protect the environment but will also improve food security and create economic opportunities, benefiting the country as a whole.

Musekene’s message was clear: food waste is not just an isolated issue—it is a pressing concern that affects the entire nation. By addressing it, South Africa can take a vital step towards creating a more sustainable and equitable future.

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