The International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste is celebrated every year on September 29. In 2019, the United Nations General Assembly established this day to enhance global awareness regarding the issue and to encourage collaborative efforts aimed at minimizing food loss and waste. The day is co-convened by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
- 2027: September 29 (Wednesday)
- 2026: September 29 (Tuesday)
- 2025: September 29 (Monday)
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Key facts and objectives of International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
Approximately one-third of all food produced worldwide is either lost or wasted. This phenomenon exacerbates environmental challenges such as climate change and leads to financial losses for numerous stakeholders. The day aims to promote the objective of reducing per capita global food waste by 50% by the year 2030 and minimizing food losses across the supply chain.
How International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste is commemorated
- This day serves as a rallying point for individuals, corporations, and governmental bodies to strive for a sustainable food future. Activities encompass virtual events, public awareness initiatives, and the encouragement of innovative and circular methods within the food system. Additionally, resources such as guides offering advice on minimizing food loss and waste are made available.
- This day aims to enhance global awareness regarding the importance of food loss and waste, while also motivating collective efforts to mitigate it. In doing so, it promotes sustainable food systems, addresses food insecurity, and supports the Sustainable Development Goals.
International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
The theme for 2025 is “Reducing Food Loss and Waste—Taking Action to Transform Food Systems.” This theme emphasizes concrete actions and collective efforts from all stakeholders to build more resilient and efficient food systems and secure a sustainable food future for all
10 Main aspects on International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
The ten primary elements of this global observance encompass: Differentiating Food Loss from Food Waste: Food loss transpires throughout the supply chain from the point of harvest up to, but not including, the retail stage (for instance, issues during harvesting or spoilage during transportation). In contrast, food waste occurs at the retail and consumer stages (such as supermarkets discarding expired products or waste generated from household plates).
- The Global Hunger Paradox: Over 1 billion meals are wasted daily by households worldwide. Simultaneously, approximately 2.3 billion individuals experience moderate to severe food insecurity, underscoring a significant disparity in global food distribution.
- Resource Depletion: The production of food necessitates vast amounts of land, water, energy, and labor. When food is wasted, all the natural and human resources that were utilized in its production are also lost.
- Environmental and Climate Impact: Food loss and waste contribute to 8 to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Food that is discarded in landfills is a significant source of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that exacerbates climate change.
- The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target: The United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Target 12.3, aims to reduce per-capita global food waste at retail and consumer levels by half while also minimizing losses in production and supply chains.
- Economic Losses: Food wastage leads to substantial economic losses for producers, retailers, and consumers. It directly raises global food prices and disrupts livelihoods in rural and agricultural sectors.
- Perishable Vulnerability: Foods that are highly nutritious—such as fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood, and dairy products—are the most susceptible to spoilage. These perishable items face the highest rates of loss before reaching consumers.
- The Role of Climate Finance: A key aspect of the international campaign is the mobilization of both public and private financial resources. Significant investment is essential in emerging economies for cold storage, efficient supply chains, and low-carbon dietary infrastructure.
- Circular Economy Approaches: The observance promotes circular agri-food systems that aim to minimize waste and enhance sustainability.
