Hacking new ways to reduce food waste
Each year millions of tons of food are wasted, with nearly 59 million tons of food wasted in the European Union alone in 2020, according to a recent Eurostat report. To address this issue and help reduce the environmental footprint of the food supply chain, a group of waste prevention nonprofits, food companies, public institutions and logistics providers have launched a "hackathon" to spur initiatives.
The "Tackling Food Waste for a Sustainable Future" hackathon is slated to take place in Amsterdam from Sept. 20-21, 2023. The goal is to raise awareness of food waste in Europe and uncover new and innovative ideas that use today’s technology, according to a news release.
Through collaboration and rapid problem-solving, participants will have the opportunity to make a quick impact during the 24-hour event. Participants will present solutions to a panel of industry experts, opening doors for further development and implementation. The event aims to bring together a diverse range of innovators, problem solvers and startups that are passionate about finding solutions to tackle food waste.
"Cold chain logistics providers like Lineage play an important role in moving food efficiently across Europe and deploying new technology to reduce food waste. We are excited to bring together like-minded partners and explore new ways of thinking to address food waste," Harld Peters, Lineage Logistics president for Europe, said in the release.
Related news: How technology is tackling food waste and changing the fresh produce supply chain for the better
In addition to Lineage Logistics, other participants include Foodvalley NL, Instock, VU Amsterdam, Taste Before You Waste, The Waste Transformers and Van Geloven (part of McCain Foods Ltd.).
"We are proud to host this event in the heart of Amsterdam, where our European headquarters are located, as it is a hub for new ideas related to the future of food and sustainability. By working collaboratively, we believe we can contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 12.3, which aims to halve food waste by 2030," Peters said in the release.
The hackathon will feature an expert judging panel and will conclude with a ceremony at the Eye Film Museum in Amsterdam, where the winning team will be announced. Winners will receive personal mentorship through a six-month incubator program and a monetary prize to fund their innovative solution.
“The hackathon promises to be an engaging gathering of passionate individuals committed to making a difference. One-third of the world’s food is wasted, which needs the attention it deserves. At Foodvalley, we work with organizations that recognize the urgency but find it hard to get into action. We help these companies innovate jointly with others to create impact. I am curious to the solutions that can turn ‘waste’ into food (upcycling) and whether we can integrate them in our approach," Marjolein Brasz, CEO of Foodvalley NL, said in the release.
Food waste is no longer just an environmental concern but also a humanitarian and societal issue recognized by environmental bodies worldwide. According to the United Nations, eliminating just 25% of food waste would be sufficient to put an end to global hunger. Research emphasizes that reducing food waste is one of the most impactful personal actions to reduce carbon emissions, said the release.
"It’s important to challenge the food waste problem together,” Bart Roetert, co-founder of Instock, said in the release. “Reducing food waste is only possible with various solutions. Hopefully, the hackathon will be a catalyst for significant impact."
