Galway's Push to Cut Food Waste: 1st Regional Meeting
The event brought together key players from the region’s food production, supply chain, and waste management sectors to set the foundation for a collective effort in reducing food loss and waste.
Introducing the CIBUS Project
Michelle Kelly and Enda McEvoy of BIA Innovator opened the meeting with an overview of CIBUS, part of the Interreg Europe initiative. They outlined its mission: to cut food loss and waste through cross-sector collaboration, data sharing, and the promotion of circular economy practices. Ann Dolan of Galway County Council emphasized the Council's role in managing food waste and raising public awareness to drive sustainable practices locally.
Stakeholder Insights and Priorities
Participants included representatives from BIA Innovator, FoodCloud, Divilly Meats, Leitrim and Mayo County Councils, and other local food businesses. Each shared their perspectives and interests, with a particular focus on the link between food systems and tourism.
Angela Kenny from FoodCloud discussed surplus food redistribution, highlighting their goal of redistributing 1 billion meals globally by 2030. Her presentation underscored the potential of technology and innovative practices in reducing food waste.
Key Discussions: Challenges and Opportunities
The core of the meeting was a Problem Tree Analysis session, where participants explored key challenges and potential solutions:
- Food Waste as a Resource: Ideas around transforming food waste into compost or biofuels were discussed, shifting the narrative of waste as a problem to an opportunity.
- Regulatory Barriers: The group examined current regulations, acknowledging the need for policy changes to promote sustainable practices.
- Education and Awareness: Emphasis was placed on the role of education in fostering responsible waste management from an early stage.
- Communication and Pilot Projects: Clear communication and the implementation of pilot projects were identified as crucial steps for tackling food waste.
Discussions also touched on systemic issues, including supermarket practices that transfer waste onto consumers and farmers, and the need for clearer food labeling.
Next Steps
Regional meetings will soon collect baseline data on food waste, followed by the launch of pilot projects targeting areas like farm-level losses and retail waste. Progress meetings will occur every six months, providing continuous opportunities for stakeholder input and strategy adjustments.
Moving Forward
The first regional meeting set the stage for ongoing collaboration to address food waste in Galway. With diverse stakeholder involvement, CIBUS aims to create impactful changes in the food system, aligning with circular economy principles. Further participation and feedback will be critical as the project progresses.
