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Food Waste Reduction Measures That Work: A Case Study Collection From the Dialogue Forum

Protective layers for fruit and vegetables, fresh “gastro deals”, “dynamic markdown pricing”, consumer acceptance of fruits and vegetables with blemishes, 100% food redistribution to charities – all of these are measures that the retail and wholesale sector can take to reduce food waste. Considering their interfaces to suppliers, customers, and redistribution, retail and wholesale hold a great potential to contribute to more food appreciation and less waste. Our new case study collection as part of the Dialogue Forum presents inspiring measures that create real impact when it comes to food waste reduction.

The publication is an exemplary analysis and illustration of individual food waste reduction measures implemented by companies participating in the Dialogue Forum for Wholesale and Retail for the reduction of food waste in Germany.

The forum has been initiated by the German Federal Government as a contribution to its National Strategy to Reduce Food Waste adopted in February 2019. From September 2019 to August 2022, 23 companies from the wholesale and retail sector participated in the Dialogue Forum. In a declaration of participation, the companies committed to cooperate with a social redistribution organisation and to improve data quality and quantity on food waste. Additionally, the companies implemented individually chosen activities to reduce food waste at the interface with their suppliers, within their markets / direct sphere of influence, at the interface with customers and to further improve the redistribution of unsold but still edible food.

The aim of this collection of case studies is to showcase the various activities of the forum members to further contribute to the reduction of food waste. By creating visibility for single activities, imitation should be inspired and the exchange of experiences fostered.

The case study collection is available in German and includes the following sections:

  • Reduction measures at the interface to suppliers
  • Reduction measures in the internal area of responsibility
  • Reduction measures at the interface to customers
  • Measures to improve redistribution practices

Please download the complete collection here.

The National Dialogue Forum for Reduction of Food Waste in Wholesale and Retail Industry is carried out by the CSCP in collaboration with the Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut.

For further information, please contact Nora Brüggemann.

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