The Australian Food Pact: What It Is and How You Can Get Involved
The Australian Food Pact
The Australian Food Pact (AFP) is a national framework established to bring together Government, businesses and the community to collectively tackle the challenges of food waste. Launched in 2021, the AFP is an amalgamation of Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) and Stop Food Waste Australia. Together, these dynamic organisations are even stronger, working together to achieve their vision of an Australia without food waste, beginning with halving all food waste by 2030. Additionally, AFP is working to reduce the emissions related to food waste, maximise food donation and reduce food insecurity and collaborate on food chain transportation.
To achieve these ambitious goals, the pact focuses on implementing strategies across the entire food supply chain, from production and distribution to consumption and disposal. By fostering partnerships across all levels of government, as well as collaborating with a variety of businesses and organisations, the AFP drives meaningful change from paddock to plate and creates a more sustainable food system for future generations.
The AFP is assisting all Australians to take action against food waste with their world leading cooperative research centre and sector action plans. Businesses can apply to receive tailored plans to help:
- Manage food waste sustainably.
- Increase profitability.
- Measure and quantify food waste and food waste action.
- Apply innovative solutions.
- Identify value-add and upcycling possibilities.
- Increase competitiveness.
- Facilitate across supply chain collaboration.
- Reduce environmental impact.
Similarly, action plans are available to aid specific sectors, including the hospitality, horticultural and catering industries, as well as hospitals and institutions.
How You Can Get Involved
There are a myriad ways to support the goals of the Australian Food Pact and contribute to reducing food waste in your community. For individuals and families this can start as simply as by checking out the available resources on the Australian Food Pact website to see how food waste can be reduced at home.
Research with AFP
The AFP are global thought leaders, helping businesses establish valuable industry connections and conduct cutting-edge research to improve profitability. These research initiatives effectively engage with both industry and consumers to gain a greater understanding of how to reduce food waste across the entire supply chain. You can apply to join their cause with one of their 30 PhD top-up scholarships across eight participating universities, or apply for one of their 12 Masters by Research scholarships
Donate to Food Rescue
The AFP has partnered with some of Australia’s largest food rescue organisations, including FoodBank, OzHarvest, FoodShare and SecondBite. Every year, Australia produces enough food to feed 75 million people, yet millions of Australians suffer from food insecurity daily. These food rescue organisations aim to prevent surplus or rejected food from being sent to landfill, instead repurposing it to create meals to feed those in need. The AFP encourages everyone from growers, wholesalers, retailers, logistics companies and government to get involved.
The Australian Food Pact represents a collective commitment to building a more sustainable and resilient food system that benefits both people and the planet. By embracing the principles of the AFP and taking proactive steps to reduce food waste in our daily lives, we can all play a part in creating a brighter future for generations to come.
