Tips Against Food Waste

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Photo: BMLUK / W. Holzer

Food is valuable – yet large quantities of bread, vegetables, meat and sausage products, dairy products, as well as many other foods are discarded every day. Food waste occurs along the entire value chain; however, in most cases, it can be avoided.

What Exactly Is Food Waste?

Food is discarded throughout the entire value chain – for a wide variety of reasons (harvest or transport damage, production defects, products that cannot be marketed). Overall, a very large amount of food is thrown away by consumers.

Food waste exists in every household. Some of it is unavoidable, but most of it could be prevented through good planning and proper storage. We distinguish between:

Avoidable food waste: Food that is thrown away for a variety of reasons, even though it is still fit for consumption and is often still in its original packaging.

Partially avoidable food waste: Plate leftovers, canteen waste, leftovers from cooked meals, partially eaten food.

Unavoidable food waste: Inedible parts, bones, stalks, peels.

We all have the power to reduce food waste.

Here are a few tips:

  • Check your food supplies before shopping.
  • Write a shopping list.
  • Buy only as much as you actually need.
  • If possible, do not go shopping on an empty stomach.
  • Evaluate special offers critically.
  • Ensure the cold chain is maintained and food is stored correctly.
  • Cook leftover meals from leftovers (the best leftover recipes).

Food Is Precious!

The "Food Is Precious!" initiative of the Federal Ministry aims to achieve the sustainable prevention and reduction of food waste through close cooperation with businesses, consumers, municipalities, and social institutions. Numerous companies (in German only) participate in the "Food Is Precious!" initiative.

Partnerships and Platforms

Food waste has increasingly become the focus of public attention, and numerous stakeholders from business, politics, science, public administration, and civil society are working to help prevent and reduce food waste in Austria.

Some of the largest partnerships and platforms in Austria are listed here (in German only).

Educational Materials & Offers

Teaching materials, takeaway boxes for leftover food, and training opportunities – these initiatives and materials (in German only) address food waste in a practical and concrete way.

Prevention of Food Waste

Here you will find much more information about the prevention of food waste (in German only).