The two agencies driving Australia’s food waste reduction efforts – Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre (FFWCRC) and Stop Food Waste Australia (SFWA) – have joined forces to become End Food Waste Australia.
The announcement was made by the founder and CEO of Fight Food Waste, Dr Steven Lapidge, who will head End Food Waste Australia.
He said the rebrand marked a pivotal moment in Australia’s fight against food waste by solidifying the last five years of research and work towards the goal of halving food waste by 2030.
During that time, FFWCRC and SFWA fostered more than 100 industry, government, and research partners.
That monumental effort has resulted in Australia’s most extensive research on consumer food waste behaviours, pioneered transformative technologies for repurposing unavoidable food waste, established evidence-based food waste reduction best practices, and led collaborative industry food waste action through the Australian Food Pact.
Lapidge emphasised that the core values and commitment of the original organisations remain unchanged.
“This unified front amplifies impact on critical issues, streamlining communication, enhancing public recognition, and fostering stronger collaborations.
“End Food Waste Australia reflects the ambition and unity prevalent across the sector and community towards ending food waste,” Lapidge said.
“The dedicated individuals behind the brand continue to work tirelessly alongside partners to deliver world-leading food waste research through the End Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre, and support industry action through the Australian Food Pact and Sector Action Plans.”
Snapshot
- 7.6 million tonnes – the amount of good food Australia wastes each year, enough to fill the Melbourne Cricket Ground to the brim nearly 10 times;
- $36.6 billion – the annual value of wasted food waste in Australia;
- $2500 – the annual average cost of food wasted in each Australian household;
- 10 per cent of global GHG emissions – the global environmental impact of food waste;
- 1 in 6 adults and 1.2 million children go hungry regularly in Australia;
- 100 partner organisations of End Food Waste Australia – committed to food waste action
- the End Food Waste CRC has 38 active research projects and 34 completed projects;
- 32 signatories to the Australian Food Pact;
- 10 Sector Action Plans completed or underway across sectors including Horticulture, Hospitality, Bread and Bakery, and Dairy;
- 24 postgraduate Future Leader students working on food waste research; and
- 155 scientific publications.
Lapidge said, “End Food Waste Australia is more than a brand, it is a shared commitment to a better future. By consolidating our efforts, we are not only reducing food waste but also building a legacy of environmental stewardship and social responsibility.
“The end of food waste starts with all of us, and together, we can create a more productive, sustainable and resilient food system for Australia and its communities.”
About End Food Waste Australia
End Food Waste Australia's vision is an Australia without food waste, starting with halving food waste by 2030. We will end food waste in Australia through research and innovation, industry action, policy development and behaviour change.
We conduct world-leading research through the End Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre, funded by the Australian Government's Department of Industry, Science and Resources.
We lead bold and innovative industry action and collaboration through the Australian Food Pact and Sector Action Plans, supported by the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
End Food Waste Australia has formed one of the world's largest dedicated public-private partnerships of more than 100 organisations focused on addressing Australia’s $36.6 billion food waste challenge.
Together, we aim to create a more productive, sustainable, and resilient Australian food system by ending food waste and food insecurity.
Find out more at endfoodwaste.com.au
