Periodic Reporting for period 3 - FOODRUS (AN INNOVATIVE COLLABORATIVE CIRCULAR FOOD SYSTEM TO REDUCE FOOD WASTE AND LOSSES IN THE AGRI-FOOD CHAIN)
Berichtszeitraum: 2023-05-01 bis 2024-04-30
Agri-food value chains, from primary production down to final household consumption and disposal, are notoriously inefficient. Globally, a third of all food produced for humans is lost or wasted. In Europe, the cost of food loss (food that has become unfit for consumption before it reaches the consumer) and waste (the discarding of food that is fit for consumption, either before or after it spoils) accounts for €143 billion.
The FOODRUS project is dedicated to building resilient, sustainable local food systems across the European Union by developing 23 innovative solutions aimed at reducing food loss and waste (FLW) throughout the entire food value chain. By focusing on efficient resource use at every stage of the chain, FOODRUS has made several significant contributions.
The project has developed cost-effective decision-making tools to help key players in the food value chain manage FLW more effectively. It also provides reliable methods to measure and monitor FLW, allowing for better management and awareness. Through strong social engagement with all actors involved in the food chain, FOODRUS has fostered long-term behavioral changes and promoted collaborative solutions to address the issue of food waste.
In addition, the project has played a key role in raising awareness among both policymakers and the general public about FLW, while encouraging more sustainable and healthy diets through educational campaigns. FOODRUS has also developed practical toolkits for stakeholders across Europe, making it easier to reduce FLW in various regions.
These solutions were tested in 3 demonstration projects across Europe. A pilot project in Spain focused on vegetables and prepared salads, while in Denmark, the emphasis was on changing habits related to meat and fish consumption. In Slovakia, the project analyzed the bread value chain. These pilots engaged all participants in the local food systems, creating a sense of community and establishing a multi-actor alliance to address the challenge of food loss and waste. FOODRUS has also empowered citizens by raising awareness and encouraging their active involvement in solving the problem.
To ensure these solutions can be replicated in other areas, FOODRUS has partnered with 5 regions across the EU: Cluj-Napoca (Romania), Budapest (Hungary), Linz (Austria), Plovdiv (Bulgaria), Halandri (Greece), Arnhem-Nijmegen (Netherlands), and Amsterdam (Netherlands). They will adapt and implement the solutions locally.
Beyond reducing FLW by 50%, in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, FOODRUS is working to minimize the environmental, social, and economic impacts of FLW. This is achieved by involving key players in the food value chain and creating 13 new business models designed to support these goals.
The FOODRUS project is dedicated to building resilient, sustainable local food systems across the European Union by developing 23 innovative solutions aimed at reducing food loss and waste (FLW) throughout the entire food value chain. By focusing on efficient resource use at every stage of the chain, FOODRUS has made several significant contributions.
The project has developed cost-effective decision-making tools to help key players in the food value chain manage FLW more effectively. It also provides reliable methods to measure and monitor FLW, allowing for better management and awareness. Through strong social engagement with all actors involved in the food chain, FOODRUS has fostered long-term behavioral changes and promoted collaborative solutions to address the issue of food waste.
In addition, the project has played a key role in raising awareness among both policymakers and the general public about FLW, while encouraging more sustainable and healthy diets through educational campaigns. FOODRUS has also developed practical toolkits for stakeholders across Europe, making it easier to reduce FLW in various regions.
These solutions were tested in 3 demonstration projects across Europe. A pilot project in Spain focused on vegetables and prepared salads, while in Denmark, the emphasis was on changing habits related to meat and fish consumption. In Slovakia, the project analyzed the bread value chain. These pilots engaged all participants in the local food systems, creating a sense of community and establishing a multi-actor alliance to address the challenge of food loss and waste. FOODRUS has also empowered citizens by raising awareness and encouraging their active involvement in solving the problem.
To ensure these solutions can be replicated in other areas, FOODRUS has partnered with 5 regions across the EU: Cluj-Napoca (Romania), Budapest (Hungary), Linz (Austria), Plovdiv (Bulgaria), Halandri (Greece), Arnhem-Nijmegen (Netherlands), and Amsterdam (Netherlands). They will adapt and implement the solutions locally.
Beyond reducing FLW by 50%, in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, FOODRUS is working to minimize the environmental, social, and economic impacts of FLW. This is achieved by involving key players in the food value chain and creating 13 new business models designed to support these goals.
The FOODRUS project has successfully co-created and tested 23 eco-solutions across three pilot programs, all supported by a Social Action initiative designed to engage and empower every actor in the food supply chains (FSCs). As part of this initiative, 180 social actions, including citizen science activities, and over 300 interventions have been carried out. Additionally, a methodology was developed with input from experts and practitioners, using 69 key performance indicators (KPIs) to quantify food loss and waste (FLW).
Some of the key results achieved by the project include the implementation of FLW tracking through three monitoring tools designed for FSCs, HORECA (hospitality, restaurants, and catering), households, and municipalities. The project also established a baseline for tracking FLW, assessed the causes and hotspots, and evaluated the impact by the end of the project. An e-learning platform, featuring 8 modules in five different languages, was also created.
The project placed a strong focus on gender equality, with a gender dimension assessment highlighting the important role women play in reducing FLW. A new municipal ordinance, based on the "Pay As You Throw" (PAYT) model and powered by blockchain, was introduced to incentivize FLW prevention. Citizen science was also leveraged to promote behavioral change, with more than 40% of participants reporting changes in their habits.
Additionally, 8 webinars on sustainable food systems were held to explore innovative business models. The Social Action Module was created, featuring a public dashboard to share best practices and encourage replication. Ten last-mile logistics solutions were implemented, including a refrigerated donation box with potential for broader use. Data-driven cooperative solutions, such as tools for stock optimization, demand prediction, cold chain traceability, and quality prediction, were also developed.
FOODRUS also introduced a FLW prevention certification process using blockchain technology, along with a product traceability tool to raise awareness of the FLW issue. Two briefings on legal instruments and capacity-building strategies were provided to further support these efforts.
All the ICT tools developed were brought together in the FOODRUS Suite, which includes a global dashboard for visualizing KPIs. The project also advanced knowledge in areas such as business expansion opportunities, key messages to engage citizens, factors that influence consumer behavior regarding food waste, and the definition of a Circularity FLW index to measure the sustainability of FLW practices. Moreover, it analyzed legal and economic barriers to FLW prevention and identified causes and potential solutions.
The project worked to strengthen the Community of Practice on FLW through mutual learning and cooperation activities. In terms of outreach, FOODRUS engaged with over 8,000 people through 271 dissemination, communication, and exploitation activities. Additionally, 34 actions were replicated by the associated regions, and 8 roadmaps were developed to guide future efforts.
Some of the key results achieved by the project include the implementation of FLW tracking through three monitoring tools designed for FSCs, HORECA (hospitality, restaurants, and catering), households, and municipalities. The project also established a baseline for tracking FLW, assessed the causes and hotspots, and evaluated the impact by the end of the project. An e-learning platform, featuring 8 modules in five different languages, was also created.
The project placed a strong focus on gender equality, with a gender dimension assessment highlighting the important role women play in reducing FLW. A new municipal ordinance, based on the "Pay As You Throw" (PAYT) model and powered by blockchain, was introduced to incentivize FLW prevention. Citizen science was also leveraged to promote behavioral change, with more than 40% of participants reporting changes in their habits.
Additionally, 8 webinars on sustainable food systems were held to explore innovative business models. The Social Action Module was created, featuring a public dashboard to share best practices and encourage replication. Ten last-mile logistics solutions were implemented, including a refrigerated donation box with potential for broader use. Data-driven cooperative solutions, such as tools for stock optimization, demand prediction, cold chain traceability, and quality prediction, were also developed.
FOODRUS also introduced a FLW prevention certification process using blockchain technology, along with a product traceability tool to raise awareness of the FLW issue. Two briefings on legal instruments and capacity-building strategies were provided to further support these efforts.
All the ICT tools developed were brought together in the FOODRUS Suite, which includes a global dashboard for visualizing KPIs. The project also advanced knowledge in areas such as business expansion opportunities, key messages to engage citizens, factors that influence consumer behavior regarding food waste, and the definition of a Circularity FLW index to measure the sustainability of FLW practices. Moreover, it analyzed legal and economic barriers to FLW prevention and identified causes and potential solutions.
The project worked to strengthen the Community of Practice on FLW through mutual learning and cooperation activities. In terms of outreach, FOODRUS engaged with over 8,000 people through 271 dissemination, communication, and exploitation activities. Additionally, 34 actions were replicated by the associated regions, and 8 roadmaps were developed to guide future efforts.
FOODRUS is a people-centered project from its inception, focusing on social responsibility and empowering all actors in the food value chains (FVCs) through research and innovation. It brings two key breakthroughs in reducing food loss and waste (FLW). First, it provides a standardized method to quantify and monitor FLW in line with EU Delegated Decision 2019/1597. Second, a multi-actor approach has led to the co-creation and testing of cooperative solutions with stakeholders from three European FVCs.
Using digital governance, FOODRUS collects, manages, and shares essential information across the entire food chain to support circular strategies in areas such as technology, finance, law, education, and governance. The project has also contributed to policymaking by analyzing legal and economic barriers and identifying key drivers to reduce FLW, supporting the EU’s Circular Economy Package and Farm to Fork Strategy, and preparing for national laws like Spain’s new FLW prevention law.
FOODRUS offers a range of innovative solutions, including a FLW certification process using blockchain for transparency, analysis of short economic circuits for financial sustainability, co-created educational materials, PAYT schemes to reduce waste, and data mining techniques to predict demand.
The project advances sustainable development by promoting environmental limits, economic sustainability, good governance, responsible science, and a healthy society. Through circular and multi-actor approaches supported by ICT, FOODRUS shows that achieving Europe’s FLW prevention targets is possible.
Using digital governance, FOODRUS collects, manages, and shares essential information across the entire food chain to support circular strategies in areas such as technology, finance, law, education, and governance. The project has also contributed to policymaking by analyzing legal and economic barriers and identifying key drivers to reduce FLW, supporting the EU’s Circular Economy Package and Farm to Fork Strategy, and preparing for national laws like Spain’s new FLW prevention law.
FOODRUS offers a range of innovative solutions, including a FLW certification process using blockchain for transparency, analysis of short economic circuits for financial sustainability, co-created educational materials, PAYT schemes to reduce waste, and data mining techniques to predict demand.
The project advances sustainable development by promoting environmental limits, economic sustainability, good governance, responsible science, and a healthy society. Through circular and multi-actor approaches supported by ICT, FOODRUS shows that achieving Europe’s FLW prevention targets is possible.