In Australia, the equivalent of 29 million meals go to waste every day – enough to provide every Australian with lunch daily. Food waste is a problem from paddock to plate and leading Australian food businesses are stepping up and helping play a critical role working together to end food waste in Australia through the Australian Food Pact.
Metcash, who supports a network of more than 1,600 independently owned supermarket stores in Australia, including those operating under IGA and Foodland banners, is the most recent Signatories to the Australian Food Pact.
Metcash Food Executive General Manager, Merchandise Estella Young says reducing food waste supports our communities, conserves resources, and plays a crucial role in addressing climate change.
“This partnership between Metcash and the Australian Food Pact represents our next major step in the national collaborative efforts required to end food waste.
“Joining the Australian Food Pact builds on the outstanding work our stores and team members have already done to reduce food waste and support food rescue. Since 2010, we’ve partnered with Foodbank, and as a founding supporter of Food for Change, we provided close to 2.5 million meals last year to those in need,” Ms Young said.
End Food Waste Australia Chief Executive Officer Dr Steven Lapidge, the organisation leading the Australian Food Pact, says food waste is a challenge too big for any one business or sector to solve alone.
“Food waste is a 7.6 million tonne and $36.6 billion challenge in Australia – collaboration across the supply chain is required to end food waste. The Australian Food Pact is a pledge of support for people and the planet, with businesses coming together for a food waste free Australia.
“End Food Waste Australia welcomes Metcash to the Australian Food Pact and thanks them for committing their time and resources to the bold and important goal of halving food waste by 2030.”
The Australian Food Pact launched in October 2021 and has since been joined by 37 organisations committed to food waste action including Mars, Unilever, Simplot, McCain Foods, Goodman Fielder, TipTop, Coles and Woolworths.