Is Food Redistribution the Real Solution to Food waste?

by Coralie Ayala

Reducing food waste and loss by half could eliminate approximately 25% of the total greenhouse gas emissions from the global food system, according to The Global Food Banking Network.

Before I joined City Harvest, I’d never heard of food redistribution ‘being a thing’. I come from a culture and a family where wasting food was not an option and we were always aware it was a privilege to have food on our plates.

I soon learned that food waste accounts for approximately half of all global food system emissions. Shocking right?

Food redistribution organisations play a crucial role in addressing food waste, supporting communities, and helping businesses achieve their sustainability goals. These organisations redistribute surplus food to people in need, reducing waste and its associated environmental impact while providing essential nutrition. Triple win!

Food Waste Reduction and Climate Impact

Reducing food waste is one of the most powerful climate solutions available:

• Food waste accounts for approximately half of all global food system emissions.
• The contribution of food wastage emissions to global warming is almost equivalent (87%) to global road transport emissions.
• Reducing food loss and waste by half could eliminate approximately 25% of the total greenhouse gas emissions from the global food system.  

In fact, reducing food waste has more emissions reduction potential than electric vehicles, recycling, and tropical reforestation combined. This underscores the critical importance of organisations like City Harvest in combating climate change.

City Harvest’s Impact and Benefits of Food Redistribution

For context, City Harvest is a food charity dedicated to rescuing surplus food and redistributing it to the most vulnerable communities. It reduces waste by diverting edible food from landfills, AD, or becoming animal feed. 

Environmental Impact

City Harvest prevents greenhouse gas emissions from food waste by rescuing surplus food. Their carbon calculator provides food donors with accurate reports of GHG emissions diverted from landfill.

Social Impact

City Harvest delivers free food for over 1.3 million meals a month to those in need, addressing food insecurity and supporting vulnerable communities.

Economic Benefits

By redistributing surplus food, businesses can eliminate costs associated with storage, warehouse space, and waste management. For every £1 invested, City Harvest delivers an estimated £3.70 of positive impact to the final recipients of food donations.

Climate Change and Food Security

Climate change is already disrupting economies, with climate change-related losses for businesses exceeding £86.5 billion in damages as of 2022. Extreme weather patterns due to climate change were identified as the number one reason for food shortages in a survey of City Harvest’s food donors.

By 2050, there will be a 70% reduction of the most versatile farmland in the UK due to climate change. This is particularly concerning given that approximately 1 in 5 UK households are already food insecure, and food prices are ten-fold higher than two years ago.

The Role of Food Redistribution in Sustainability Reporting

Food redistribution charities like City Harvest offer a solution to both food insecurity and environmental concerns. By partnering with these charities, companies can contribute to carbon reduction and report their impact in environmental reports

City Harvest provides companies with accurate figures to reflect their carbon reductions, helping them avoid greenwashing claims. This is particularly important as the UK Financial Conduct Authority’s new anti-greenwashing rule requires sustainability claims to be clearly communicated and accurate.

Benefits for Businesses

Partnering with food redistribution organizations can provide several benefits for businesses:

1. Supporting business viability: ESG is playing an increasing role in public procurement, and millennial investors are interested in ESG-aligned investments.
2. Lowering premiums for insurance policies and bank loans: A positive ESG profile could result in increased insurance capacity and reduced premiums.
3. Improving recruitment and employee retention: A significant portion of the UK workforce, especially younger employees, consider a company’s ESG values when making job decisions.

   By engaging with food redistribution charities, businesses can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability, potentially improving their financial performance, attracting investors and employees, and contributing to a more sustainable food system.