🥦 29 September: International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (UN)

Every 29 September, the world observes the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, highlighting the urgent need to reduce food waste globally to support food security, environmental sustainability, and climate action.

Led by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and UNEP, this day urges governments, businesses, and individuals to take action toward responsible consumption and production (SDG 12).

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🌟 Why This Day Matters

✅ Reduces Hunger: 1 in 9 people globally are undernourished, while a third of all food produced is lost or wasted.
✅ Supports Climate Action: Food loss and waste contribute 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
✅ Protects Resources: Wasting food wastes water, energy, land, and labor used in production.
✅ Saves Money: Reducing waste saves household and business costs.

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📜 Background

✨ Established by the UN General Assembly in 2019.
✨ Supports SDG Target 12.3: Halve per capita global food waste and reduce food losses along production and supply chains by 2030.
✨ Aligns with efforts to transform agri-food systems for resilience and sustainability.

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📊 Key Facts

✨ 931 million tonnes of food are wasted annually.
✨ Reducing food loss could feed millions while cutting emissions.
✨ Up to 14% of food is lost between harvest and retail.

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🎉 How to Observe

✅ Reduce Waste: Plan meals, use leftovers creatively, and store food properly.
✅ Support Initiatives: Donate excess food to food banks and community kitchens.
✅ Educate Others: Use #StopFoodWasteDay or #FLWDay to share awareness tips.
✅ Create Art: Illustrate mindful eating, farm-to-table stories, and zero-waste kitchens.

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💡 Why It Matters

✅ Addresses hunger and malnutrition.
✅ Supports climate and environmental sustainability.
✅ Encourages conscious consumption habits.

“If food waste were a country, it would be the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases.” – FAO

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🎨 Artistic & Educational Opportunities

For artists, educators, and storytellers:

🎨 Create infographics on food waste facts and solutions.
📸 Share reels on zero-waste recipes or mindful cooking.
🖋️ Write stories on farmers, food rescue heroes, and local solutions.
👩‍🏫 Host workshops on responsible food consumption.

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📌 Final Thought

On 29 September, International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, let us commit to reducing food waste in our homes, communities, and supply chains to protect our planet and feed more people sustainably.

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