With the Deutsche Gesellschaft für International Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the Save Food initiative has gained another partner, increasing the number of members committed to fighting food waste and loss to 120. They come mainly from the industrial sector, including both individual companies and industry associations. This number is swelled by some 230 NGOs and research establishments which are registered through the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. The GIZ is the first organization with close ties to the German government to become a member.
The GIZ supports the German government in achieving its objectives in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. The reduction of food losses is an important field of action for many projects in developing countries that promote agricultural value chains. In this context, public-private partnerships play an important role. In February 2015, the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has therefore commissioned GIZ to become a partner of the Save Food initiative. The engagement shown by industry in fighting food loss and waste will also be a focus at the Save Food Meeting 2015 that will be hosted by Nestlé in Vevey, Switzerland, on 12 May. Decision-makers from industry, science and research, policy-makers and individuals from civil society will be gathering at this event to engage in constructive dialogue under the motto ‘Private sector support for food loss and waste reduction projects.’ Facilitating the networking of these different companies and institutions with the aim of providing a platform for generating concrete actions is one of the core objectives of the Save Food initiative.
The food value chain in developing countries in the sub-Saharan region and the reduction of food losses there will then be a focus in the autumn at the third Food Processing and Packaging Exposyum (FPPE)in Nairobi, Kenya, from 3 to 5 November 2015. This trade fair with a symposium sheds light on the entire process – from the first processing stages to filling and packaging to logistics – against the backdrop of the different local business structures, developments and needs. The FAO, as a partner of the Save Food initiative, will be organizing the agenda for one of the three days of the conference. GIZ will be delivering one of the presentations on this theme at the FPPE.
