The second day of the Climate neutrality conference 2024 featured a session organized by partners of the Precise Interreg project on “New technological solutions for climate-friendly food generation”.
The speakers underscored the global nature of the food waste problem, with the primary waste source occurring from the field to the shop due to the rejection of fresh products that do not meet certain standards. This highlights the need for a change in regulations and a collective, global effort to address this issue. Patrick Ferrier emphasized that Central Europe alone cannot make the biggest contribution to waste reduction, and that it is a problem that requires global changes. He also noted that, currently, only large food companies have a comprehensive understanding of their CO2 emissions in the value chain.
We learned from Jose Bonilla that the structure of our food plays an important role in its acceptance, not only its nutritional content. Hanne Christine Bertram brought us insights on new protein sources like insects in comparison with known meat proteins.
The ‘New food matchmaking event’ was a highlight of the day. Participants engaged in a quiz on food waste knowledge, which Patrick Ferrier, our partner at KIN, won. The event also allowed us to test our Meat and Fish quality sensor on salmon and sample novel foods many may not have tried before, including different kinds of insects with unique flavours, Tempeh, and smoked Tofu.
From the final discussion on the possibilities to reduce food waste, we have a collection to inspire you as a reader:
· Buy only what you need |
· Think before acting |
· Prepare shopping lists and stick to them |
· Educate our children in school about food preparation |
· Change regulations |
· Change behaviour |
· Avoid buying massive amounts for reduced price |
· Don’t worry so much when the minimum expiration date has been exceeded; use your nose and eyes to determine if fresh |
· Buy discounted items with a short shelf life |
· Eat leftovers |
· Buy local |
· Start fermenting food by yourself |
