Reducing food loss and waste

Our commitment

Reduce food loss and waste

Food loss and waste is a complex and global challenge. We are collaborating with industry peers and examining our own operations to make sure more food gets from field to table, as well as educating consumers on waste.

Demonstrating our commitment

Collective action is key to addressing food loss and waste at every stage of the value chain, which is why we are a staunch supporter of the Champions 12.3 coalition. In June 2020, we committed to an ambitious 50% reduction in operational food loss and waste through its 10x20x30 initiative. We have upheld this pledge throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, donating surplus food to those in need.

To prevent food from being wasted at the consumer level, labels need to be clearer. Nestlé France has stepped up to the challenge, signing Too Good To Go’s Consumption Dates Pact. Working with other participants, we have committed to removing confusion around consumption dates.

95 %

15000 USD

41 %

Working with farmers in Kenya to preserve excess food

Through the Nescafé Plan, we have spent a decade improving the livelihoods of our coffee growers. In Kenya, we ran a survey throughout 2020 to understand how surplus produce could be used to supplement farmer incomes. Of those who responded, 55% felt their businesses were not profitable throughout the year.

Based on our study, we were able to identify and share recommendations, including partnering farmers with food processing firms. Access to food preservation technologies would allow farmers to transform surplus fruit and vegetables into marketable products. This opportunity could result in additional income streams for farmers and a reduction in food loss and waste.

Addressing maize losses in Nigeria

Food loss and waste occurs at every stage of the value chain. We are working closely with farmers in our supply chain to tackle the issue.

In October 2019, we initiated an in-depth research project to help Nigerian maize farmers address losses. Maize farming is plagued by pests and crop molds as a result of inefficiencies in growing techniques, drying, storage and transportation. In 2020, we launched a field assessment to measure these losses and develop practical solutions.

On the recommendations of our agricultural scientists, we focused on drying technologies, selecting dome-shaped solar dryers that could be easily and cost-effectively constructed using local materials. We initially piloted nine of these and have now funded a further six, offering farmers a solution that complements existing farming techniques. By reducing instances of crop mold, this initiative will also minimize the presence of harmful aflatoxins, which can dramatically impact health if consumed in large quantities.

Innovating to save food in Mexico

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) launched the #SinDesperdicio platform in October 2018 to reduce food loss and waste across Latin America and the Caribbean. Nestlé is one of the platform’s first and most active supporters.

In 2020, the results of the inaugural #SinDesperdicioMéxico innovation contest, for which Nestlé México was a promoter and a judge, were announced.

Two winning ideas were selected from 154 entries. SaveFruit, a company that develops technologies to extend the life of harvested fruits, took first place and a prize of USD 15 000 (CHF 13 000). Second place went to the ‘Mi Fruta, Mi Pueblo’ community initiative. The aim is to transform surplus fruits, such as oranges, papayas and mangoes, into less perishable products.

Startup Preemar received special recognition for the creation of a real-time water quality monitoring system that helps fish farmers minimize disease-related losses.

Harnessing the power of chocolate waste

We are cutting waste from every area of our business. Finding value in by-products is crucial to this. In East London, South Africa, we are working with a local piggery to give chocolate waste new purpose as a source of energy.

Spent chocolate is combined with organic farm waste before being added to an anaerobic digester and left for three weeks to decompose. What results is a combination of methane gas and nutrient-rich wastewater. The methane gas powers the piggery while the high nutrient-rich wastewater is used for irrigation of local pastures.

Building stronger, more confident communities with the Company Shop Group

Since 2016, Nestlé UK & Ireland (UK&I) has reduced operational food waste by 41%. We have joined forces with the Company Shop Group, the UK’s largest surplus redistributor, to reduce this figure further. Together, we are developing and performing audits to better identify key areas where food is being lost and wasted.

We also work with their social enterprise, Community Shop, to redistribute surplus stock that may otherwise go to waste. Community Shop supermarkets offer members vital access to discounted food. In addition, the organization provides training on a range of topics from health and well-being to financial literacy, helping to address the wider issues of inequality in communities.

Working in partnership with Community Shop, as well as nonprofit organizations FareShare, FoodCloud and Sweet Dreams, Nestlé UK&I redistributed the equivalent of 2.6 million meals throughout 2020.

One-third of food produced globally is either lost or wasted. By accelerating action to both cut food waste at the source and redistribute surplus food, we can collectively reduce the environmental impact of food waste whilst helping to support individuals and families who are struggling with challenges of food poverty.

Andy Griffiths Head of Value Chain Sustainability, Nestlé UK & Ireland