Food waste is a global problem with serious environmental, economic and social consequences. It has been estimated that as much as one-third of all food produced in the world is wasted. One of the key actors in this chain is the wholesale industry, which can play an important role in reducing food losses. In recent years, many wholesalers have taken steps to reduce waste and strengthen the sustainability of the entire supply chain. In this article, we will look at what steps wholesalers are taking to fight food waste.
Food waste - a global problem
Counteracting food waste is an element of the road to sustainable economic development. In order to achieve it, cooperation between business representatives and other participants in social life is necessary. Is it possible to reduce food waste by 2030? Certainly, attempts can and should be made to reduce the scale of the phenomenon.
According to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 1.3 billion tons of food products are wasted every year in the world, which accounts for as much as 1/3 of all food produced in the world. In the European Union alone, as much as 154.5 million tonnes of food are wasted annually, which exceeds the volume of all EU food imports! Most food is wasted at the stage of production and distribution, although of course the way of disposing of food products in households also affects the scale of the phenomenon. It is also estimated that 2/3 of the food that ends up in the bin is still edible!
Distributors and the fight against food waste
Unfortunately, a lot of food waste occurs at the distribution stage. The scale of the phenomenon is largely influenced by ineffective distribution, incorrect inventory management and logistically underdeveloped supply chains. The expiry date of products in wholesalers is exceeded as a result of irregularities related to the storage and management of stocks (so-called human errors are involved), damage caused during the transport or storage of products and as a result of poorly planned marketing strategy.
Fortunately, the growing awareness of sustainable development does not bypass wholesalers who are interested in implementing appropriate solutions to their business. Issues that can help reduce food waste at the distribution stage include:
- Accurate order planning
Wholesalers can try to plan their orders with manufacturers in such a way as to reduce the risk of goods stagnation. Fresh food products are then sold on an ongoing basis in the amount corresponding to the customers' needs, but not exceeding their purchasing power. Thanks to this, food is not stored for too long in the warehouse and simply - it is not wasted.
- Storage optimization
Wholesalers try to optimize the storage of food in order to ensure its proper storage conditions. As a result, food stays fresh longer and is less susceptible to spoilage. Wholesalers operating in the European Union must meet quite restrictive hygiene and safety standards imposed by EU legal requirements anyway. Nevertheless, many entrepreneurs still decide to implement additional solutions to help in the effective storage of food. The same applies to means of transport used to transport food products between wholesalers and their customers.
- Optimization of logistics processes
The improvement of logistics processes is a key element in the fight against waste. Wholesalers try to minimize the duration of transport, use appropriate packaging and optimize the warehouse layout to minimize losses during transport and storage. Special vehicles are used to transport food products in appropriate conditions, communication between the parties to the order and the transport contractors also plays an important role in the delivery process.
- Promotional activities
Wholesalers carry out promotional activities aimed at encouraging customers to buy food that is close to its expiry date. Thanks to this, food is not wasted and customers can buy it at a lower price. This requires constant monitoring of the stock and an efficient mechanism of contact with customers. Wholesalers more and more often use advanced quality monitoring systems and product expiration dates that allow you to track stock levels. Thanks to this, they can effectively manage the assortment, avoiding expired goods and minimizing losses resulting from unsold products.
- Cooperation with charitable organizations
Wholesalers work with charities that collect food and distribute it to those in need. Thanks to this, food that is not sold goes to people who do not have the money to buy it, and the wholesaler itself can gain image from such activities and at the same time build a bond with the local community.
- Employee education and training
Aware of the problem, wholesalers engage their employees in training programs that raise awareness about food waste. Employees are informed about the best practices for storing, handling and minimizing product losses, which contributes to effective warehouse management. During the training, technological innovations related to new methods of storing food products are also presented, and effective storage methods are explained, which can both extend the shelf life of goods and improve work in the warehouse.
There is no denying that wholesalers play an important role in the food supply chain and have the potential to reduce food waste. Implementation of innovative solutions, cooperation with charities, education of employees and attention to running a sustainable business are the key steps that will help in the fight against this global challenge. Responsibility and commitment of wholesalers to reduce food losses contribute to a more sustainable and efficient food industry.