Over one-third of the world’s food is lost or wasted, undermining efforts to end hunger and malnutrition while contributing 8 to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. In low- and middle-income countries, over 40 percent of food loss occurs before a crop even makes it to market, whether due to inadequate storage, pests or microbes, spoilage, spillage in transport or otherwise. Eliminating food loss and waste (FLW) would provide enough food to feed two billion people, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing FLW is critical to global food security, nutrition and climate change mitigation, with food rescue playing an important role in these efforts. In order to raise awareness, exchange information and share success stories, USAID’s Food Loss and Waste Community of Practice created the USAID Kitchen Sink Food Loss and Waste Podcast. Our goal is to share monthly, bite-sized episodes that highlight the approaches USAID and the U.S. government are taking to address FLW. We hope these episodes provide a valuable resource for those interested in why we should care about FLW and how we can reduce it. Our latest episode is with Regina Harmon, Executive Director of Food Recovery Network, one of the largest student-driven movements against food waste and hunger that recovers and donates perishable food that would otherwise go to waste. Regina shares the story of Food Recovery Network and how they’ve successfully engaged with college students. Together, Regina and Nika discuss how to avoid “analysis paralysis” when faced with the seemingly overwhelming problem of food waste. We conclude our episode with recommendations of how anyone can engage in Food Recovery Network to have a lasting impact to reduce food waste. You can subscribe to receive the latest episodes of USAID’s Kitchen Sink and listen to our episodes on the platform of your choice: Apple, Spotify, and more! Video recordings of the episodes are available on YouTube. Check in every month for new episodes as global experts discuss a range of issues about FLW and methane emissions - from the critical role of youth to the staggering economic costs - and learn about specific ways that USAID is tackling FLW around the world. If you have an idea for an episode topic you’d like to see featured or if you would like to participate in an episode of USAID’s Kitchen Sink, please reach out to Nika Larian ([email protected]).There’s no time to waste!

Our latest episode is with Ben Collier, CEO of Farmlink, which connects farms with surplus to food banks to feed people in need and reduce carbon emissions. Ben shares the history of Farmlink and how they are rebranding food waste as “abundance,” which is explored in their short film by the same name: “Abundance: The Farmlink Story.” Together, Ben and Nika explore the role of food rescue organizations in the effort to reduce food waste. We end the episode by looking ahead at future opportunities for large scale produce rescue.

Over one-third of the world’s food is lost or wasted, undermining efforts to end hunger and malnutrition while contributing 8 to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. In low- and middle-income countries, over 40 percent of food loss occurs before a crop even makes it to market, whether due to inadequate storage, pests or microbes, spoilage, spillage in transport or otherwise. Eliminating food loss and waste (FLW) would provide enough food to feed two billion people, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing FLW is critical to global food security, nutrition and climate change mitigation, with food rescue playing an important role in these efforts. In order to raise awareness, exchange information and share success stories, USAID’s Food Loss and Waste Community of Practice created the USAID Kitchen Sink Food Loss and Waste Podcast. Our goal is to share monthly, bite-sized episodes that highlight the approaches USAID and the U.S. government are taking to address FLW. We hope these episodes provide a valuable resource for those interested in why we should care about FLW and how we can reduce it. Our latest episode is with Ken Baker, Culinary Director for Rethink Food, which aims to bridge the gap between excess food and food insecure communities by preparing restaurant-quality meals from food that has been rescued from going to waste. Together, Ken and Nika share their experiences in the restaurant industry and the important decisions restaurants make to balance food waste and profits. Ken discusses how Rethink Food transforms excess into access in food insecure communities by providing nutrient dense, culturally relevant meals. We conclude with a discussion of how to shift the narrative around food waste.You can subscribe to receive the latest episodes of USAID’s Kitchen Sink and listen to our episodes on the platform of your choice: Apple, Spotify, and more! Video recordings of the episodes are available on YouTube. Check in every month for new episodes as global experts discuss a range of issues about FLW and methane emissions - from the critical role of youth to the staggering economic costs - and learn about specific ways that USAID is tackling FLW around the world. If you have an idea for an episode topic you’d like to see featured or if you would like to participate in an episode of USAID’s Kitchen Sink, please reach out to Nika Larian ([email protected]).There’s no time to waste!

Over one-third of the world’s food is lost or wasted, undermining efforts to end hunger and malnutrition while contributing 8 to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. In low- and middle-income countries, over 40 percent of food loss occurs before a crop even makes it to market, whether due to inadequate storage, pests or microbes, spoilage, spillage in transport or otherwise. Eliminating food loss and waste (FLW) would provide enough food to feed two billion people, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing FLW is critical to global food security, nutrition and climate change mitigation, with food rescue playing an important role in these efforts. In order to raise awareness, exchange information and share success stories, USAID’s Food Loss and Waste Community of Practice created the USAID Kitchen Sink Food Loss and Waste Podcast. Our goal is to share monthly, bite-sized episodes that highlight the approaches USAID and the U.S. government are taking to address FLW. We hope these episodes provide a valuable resource for those interested in why we should care about FLW and how we can reduce it. Our latest episode is with Diane Letson, Vice President of Food Industry Partnerships for Feeding America,  a US–based non-profit organization that is a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks that feed more than 46 million people through food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and other community-based agencies. Diane shares how Feeding America’s work reduces food loss and waste while fighting hunger and how partnerships with cold chain companies can bolster these efforts. Together, we discuss how legislation can shape food donation and the important roles food banks play in our communities that go beyond handing out food.You can subscribe to receive the latest episodes of USAID’s Kitchen Sink and listen to our episodes on the platform of your choice: Apple, Spotify, and more! Video recordings of the episodes are available on YouTube. Check in every month for new episodes as global experts discuss a range of issues about FLW and methane emissions - from the critical role of youth to the staggering economic costs - and learn about specific ways that USAID is tackling FLW around the world. If you have an idea for an episode topic you’d like to see featured or if you would like to participate in an episode of USAID’s Kitchen Sink, please reach out to Nika Larian ([email protected]).There’s no time to waste!

Over one-third of the world’s food is lost or wasted, undermining efforts to end hunger and malnutrition while contributing 8 to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. In low- and middle-income countries, over 40 percent of food loss occurs before a crop even makes it to market, whether due to inadequate storage, pests or microbes, spoilage, spillage in transport or otherwise. Eliminating food loss and waste (FLW) would provide enough food to feed two billion people, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing FLW is critical to global food security, nutrition and climate change mitigation, with digital technology and the reduction of household food waste playing an important role in these efforts. In order to raise awareness, exchange information and share success stories, USAID’s Food Loss and Waste Community of Practice created the USAID Kitchen Sink Food Loss and Waste Podcast. Our goal is to share monthly, bite-sized episodes that highlight the approaches USAID and the U.S. government are taking to address FLW. We hope these episodes provide a valuable resource for those interested in why we should care about FLW and how we can reduce it. Each year, USAID joins our partners in celebrating World Food Safety Day on June 7th with a month-long focus on the importance of food safety and the work, resources and tools carried out by our food safety partners. In a world where 735 million people go to bed hungry every night and 420,000 die from unsafe food every year, we simply can’t afford to lose food to contamination and spoilage. In times like these, we need to preserve every ounce of food we grow in a way that delivers on nutrition and helps mitigate climate change. This episode celebrates World Food Safety Day with three USAID activities: Feed the Future Evidence and Action Towards Safe, Nutritious Food (EatSafe), Feed the Future Business Drivers for Food Safety (BD4FS), and the Alliance for Inclusive and Nutritious Food Processing (AINFP). You can subscribe to receive the latest episodes of USAID’s Kitchen Sink and listen to our episodes on the platform of your choice: Apple, Spotify, and more! Video recordings of the episodes are available on YouTube. Check in every month for new episodes as global experts discuss a range of issues about FLW and methane emissions - from the critical role of youth to the staggering economic costs - and learn about specific ways that USAID is tackling FLW around the world. If you have an idea for an episode topic you’d like to see featured or if you would like to participate in an episode of USAID’s Kitchen Sink, please reach out to Nika Larian ([email protected]).

Over one-third of the world’s food is lost or wasted, undermining efforts to end hunger and malnutrition while contributing 8 to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. In low- and middle-income countries, over 40 percent of food loss occurs before a crop even makes it to market, whether due to inadequate storage, pests or microbes, spoilage, spillage in transport or otherwise. Eliminating food loss and waste (FLW) would provide enough food to feed two billion people, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing FLW is critical to global food security, nutrition and climate change mitigation, with food rescue playing an important role in these efforts. In order to raise awareness, exchange information and share success stories, USAID’s Food Loss and Waste Community of Practice created the USAID Kitchen Sink Food Loss and Waste Podcast. Our goal is to share monthly, bite-sized episodes that highlight the approaches USAID and the U.S. government are taking to address FLW. We hope these episodes provide a valuable resource for those interested in why we should care about FLW and how we can reduce it. Our latest episode is with Robert Lee, Co-Founder and CEO of Rescuing Leftover Cuisine, which redistributes excess food to people experiencing food insecurity. Robert shares what food rescue is and the impact it can have on reducing food waste. Additionally, we discuss how policies and regulations have shaped Rescuing Leftover Cuisine’s work and the future of food rescue.You can subscribe to receive the latest episodes of USAID’s Kitchen Sink and listen to our episodes on the platform of your choice: Apple, Spotify, and more! Video recordings of the episodes are available on YouTube. Check in every month for new episodes as global experts discuss a range of issues about FLW and methane emissions - from the critical role of youth to the staggering economic costs - and learn about specific ways that USAID is tackling FLW around the world. If you have an idea for an episode topic you’d like to see featured or if you would like to participate in an episode of USAID’s Kitchen Sink, please reach out to Nika Larian ([email protected]).There’s no time to waste!

Over one-third of the world’s food is lost or wasted, undermining efforts to end hunger and malnutrition while contributing 8 to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. In low- and middle-income countries, over 40 percent of food loss occurs before a crop even makes it to market, whether due to inadequate storage, pests or microbes, spoilage, spillage in transport or otherwise. Eliminating food loss and waste (FLW) would provide enough food to feed two billion people, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing FLW is critical to global food security, nutrition and climate change mitigation, with digital technology and the reduction of household food waste playing an important role in these efforts. In order to raise awareness, exchange information and share success stories, USAID’s Food Loss and Waste Community of Practice created the USAID Kitchen Sink Food Loss and Waste Podcast. Our goal is to share monthly, bite-sized episodes that highlight the approaches USAID and the U.S. government are taking to address FLW. We hope these episodes provide a valuable resource for those interested in why we should care about FLW and how we can reduce it. Our latest episode is with Rishi Banerjee, Senior Director of SmartLabel at the Consumer Brands Association. Rishi shares the type of information that SmartLabel can provide to increase transparency and how this can benefit consumers. Together, we discuss the role SmartLabel might play in reducing FLW, including information on food safety and recycling. We conclude by considering the future opportunities for digital technologies in the FLW and food safety space.You can subscribe to receive the latest episodes of USAID’s Kitchen Sink and listen to our episodes on the platform of your choice: Apple, Spotify, and more! Video recordings of the episodes are available on YouTube. Check in every month for new episodes as global experts discuss a range of issues about FLW and methane emissions - from the critical role of youth to the staggering economic costs - and learn about specific ways that USAID is tackling FLW around the world. If you have an idea for an episode topic you’d like to see featured or if you would like to participate in an episode of USAID’s Kitchen Sink, please reach out to Nika Larian ([email protected]).There’s no time to waste!

Over one-third of the world’s food is lost or wasted, undermining efforts to end hunger and malnutrition while contributing 8 to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. In low- and middle-income countries, over 40 percent of food loss occurs before a crop even makes it to market, whether due to inadequate storage, pests or microbes, spoilage, spillage in transport or otherwise. Eliminating food loss and waste (FLW) would provide enough food to feed two billion people, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing FLW is critical to global food security, nutrition and climate change mitigation, with technology and the reduction of household food waste playing an important role in these efforts. In order to raise awareness, exchange information and share success stories, USAID’s Food Loss and Waste Community of Practice created the USAID Kitchen Sink Food Loss and Waste Podcast. Our goal is to share monthly, bite-sized episodes that highlight the approaches USAID and the U.S. government are taking to address FLW. We hope these episodes provide a valuable resource for those interested in why we should care about FLW and how we can reduce it. Our latest episode is with Adam Fry, the Co-Founder and COO of BudgEAT. We’ve all heard the statistic that 30-40% of food produced is either lost or wasted, and consumer food waste is a large contributor to that number. The average US household wastes 32% of its food, an estimated $1,866 annually per household. During this episode, Adam and I discuss the magnitude of the problem of household food waste, what leads to consumer food waste, and what can be done to reduce it. We conclude by considering how to change the narrative around FLW so consumers understand that wasting food shouldn’t be part of the status quo due to its deleterious impacts on climate, economy, and food security.You can subscribe to receive the latest episodes of USAID’s Kitchen Sink and listen to our episodes on the platform of your choice: Apple, Spotify, and more! Video recordings of the episodes are available on YouTube. Check in every month for new episodes as global experts discuss a range of issues about FLW and methane emissions - from the critical role of youth to the staggering economic costs - and learn about specific ways that USAID is tackling FLW around the world. If you have an idea for an episode topic you’d like to see featured or if you would like to participate in an episode of USAID’s Kitchen Sink, please reach out to Nika Larian ([email protected]).There’s no time to waste!

Over one-third of the world’s food is lost or wasted, undermining efforts to end hunger and malnutrition while contributing 8 to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. In low- and middle-income countries, over 40 percent of food loss occurs before a crop even makes it to market, whether due to inadequate storage, pests or microbes, spoilage, spillage in transport or otherwise. Eliminating food loss and waste (FLW) would provide enough food to feed two billion people, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing FLW is critical to global food security, nutrition and climate change mitigation, with innovations in upcycling playing an important role in these efforts. In order to raise awareness, exchange information and share success stories, USAID’s Food Loss and Waste Community of Practice created the USAID Kitchen Sink Food Loss and Waste Podcast. Our goal is to share monthly, bite-sized episodes that highlight the approaches USAID and the U.S. government are taking to address FLW. We hope these episodes provide a valuable resource for those interested in why we should care about FLW and how we can reduce it. Our latest episode is with Kendra Stallings, Senior Scientist in the Technical Service, Food and Beverage Division at Novozymes. During this episode, we discuss what upcycling is, the impacts on sustainability and FLW, and the role of biosolutions. You can subscribe to receive the latest episodes of USAID’s Kitchen Sink and listen to our episodes on the platform of your choice: Apple, Spotify, and more! Video recordings of the episodes are available on YouTube. Check in every month for new episodes as global experts discuss a range of issues about FLW and methane emissions - from the critical role of youth to the staggering economic costs - and learn about specific ways that USAID is tackling FLW around the world. If you have an idea for an episode topic you’d like to see featured or if you would like to participate in an episode of USAID’s Kitchen Sink, please reach out to Nika Larian ([email protected]).There’s no time to waste!

Our latest episode is with Joanne Muchai Murunga, the Chief Operating Officer at Kentaste, a leading producer of coconut products in Kenya. Kentaste supports economic development by connecting rural farmers to an international supply chain. Moreover, Kentaste has a focus on women’s empowerment, with women representing over 50% of their senior management. Kentaste is a recent awardee through the USAID Feed the Future Food Loss and Waste Partnership Facility. The FLWPartnership Facility provides catalytic co-investment to MSMEs in LMICs to scale innovations that reduce FLW with a focus on nutritious value chains. In this episode, Joanne and I discuss how the coconut value chain has been impacted by climate change, how Kentaste is working to reduce FLW, and how Kentaste is empowering women and improving the capacity of smallholder farmers.Over one-third of the world’s food is lost or wasted, undermining efforts to end hunger and malnutrition while contributing 8 to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. In low- and middle-income countries, over 40 percent of food loss occurs before a crop even makes it to market, whether due to inadequate storage, pests or microbes, spoilage, spillage in transport or otherwise. Eliminating food loss and waste (FLW) would provide enough food to feed two billion people, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing FLW is critical to global food security, nutrition and climate change mitigation, with the private sector engagement and women’s empowerment playing an important role in these efforts. In order to raise awareness, exchange information and share success stories, USAID’s Food Loss and Waste Community of Practice created the USAID Kitchen Sink Food Loss and Waste Podcast. Our goal is to share monthly, bite-sized episodes that highlight the approaches USAID and the U.S. government are taking to address FLW. We hope these episodes provide a valuable resource for those interested in why we should care about FLW and how we can reduce it. You can subscribe to receive the latest episodes of USAID’s Kitchen Sink and listen to our episodes on the platform of your choice: Apple, Spotify, and more! Video recordings of the episodes are available on YouTube. Check in every month for new episodes as global experts discuss a range of issues about FLW and methane emissions - from the critical role of youth to the staggering economic costs - and learn about specific ways that USAID is tackling FLW around the world. If you have an idea for an episode topic you’d like to see featured or if you would like to participate in an episode of USAID’s Kitchen Sink, please reach out to Nika Larian ([email protected]).There’s no time to waste!

Our latest episode is with Andrew Shakman, CEO of Leanpath, an industry leading food waste prevention platform. Together, we discuss the importance of food waste prevention, the need for improved and affordable measurement methods, and how to change kitchen culture to drive companies and consumers to recognize the value of food. Over one-third of the world’s food is lost or wasted, undermining efforts to end hunger and malnutrition while contributing 8 to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. In low- and middle-income countries, over 40 percent of food loss occurs before a crop even makes it to market, whether due to inadequate storage, pests or microbes, spoilage, spillage in transport or otherwise. Eliminating food loss and waste (FLW) would provide enough food to feed two billion people, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing FLW is critical to global food security, nutrition and climate change mitigation, with the need for prevention and improved measurement playing an important role in these efforts. In order to raise awareness, exchange information and share success stories, USAID’s Food Loss and Waste Community of Practice created the USAID Kitchen Sink Food Loss and Waste Podcast. Our goal is to share monthly, bite-sized episodes that highlight the approaches USAID and the U.S. government are taking to address FLW. We hope these episodes provide a valuable resource for those interested in why we should care about FLW and how we can reduce it. You can subscribe to receive the latest episodes of USAID’s Kitchen Sink and listen to our episodes on the platform of your choice: Apple, Spotify, and more! Video recordings of the episodes are available on YouTube. Check in every month for new episodes as global experts discuss a range of issues about FLW and methane emissions - from the critical role of youth to the staggering economic costs - and learn about specific ways that USAID is tackling FLW around the world. If you have an idea for an episode topic you’d like to see featured or if you would like to participate in an episode of USAID’s Kitchen Sink, please reach out to Nika Larian ([email protected]).There’s no time to waste!

Our latest episode is with Chris Somogyi, CEO of EverCase, a novel technology to reduce FLW by improving cold chain technology. Together, we discuss the challenges and opportunities in climate-smart cold chain and how to catalyze innovation and new technologies to reduce FLW.Over one-third of the world’s food is lost or wasted, undermining efforts to end hunger and malnutrition while contributing 8 to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. In low- and middle-income countries, over 40 percent of food loss occurs before a crop even makes it to market, whether due to inadequate storage, pests or microbes, spoilage, spillage in transport or otherwise. Eliminating food loss and waste (FLW) would provide enough food to feed two billion people, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing FLW is critical to global food security, nutrition and climate change mitigation, with climate-smart cold chain playing an important role in these efforts. In order to raise awareness, exchange information and share success stories, USAID’s Food Loss and Waste Community of Practice created the USAID Kitchen Sink Food Loss and Waste Podcast. Our goal is to share monthly, bite-sized episodes that highlight the approaches USAID and the U.S. government are taking to address FLW. We hope these episodes provide a valuable resource for those interested in why we should care about FLW and how we can reduce it. You can subscribe to receive the latest episodes of USAID’s Kitchen Sink and listen to our episodes on the platform of your choice: Apple, Spotify, and more! Video recordings of the episodes are available on YouTube. Check in every month for new episodes as global experts discuss a range of issues about FLW and methane emissions - from the critical role of youth to the staggering economic costs - and learn about specific ways that USAID is tackling FLW around the world. If you have an idea for an episode topic you’d like to see featured or if you would like to participate in an episode of USAID’s Kitchen Sink, please reach out to Nika Larian ([email protected]).There’s no time to waste!

Our latest episode is with Amanda Brondy, Vice President of International Projects at the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA). Together, we discuss how the work of GCCA contributes to FLW reduction, the importance of investing in climate-smart cold chain in emerging countries, and the opportunities for collaboration between cold chain companies and food banks to reduce FLW.Over one-third of the world’s food is lost or wasted, undermining efforts to end hunger and malnutrition while contributing 8 to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. In low- and middle-income countries, over 40 percent of food loss occurs before a crop even makes it to market, whether due to inadequate storage, pests or microbes, spoilage, spillage in transport or otherwise. Eliminating food loss and waste (FLW) would provide enough food to feed two billion people, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing FLW is critical to global food security, nutrition and climate change mitigation, with climate-smart cold chain playing an important role in these efforts. In order to raise awareness, exchange information and share success stories, USAID’s Food Loss and Waste Community of Practice created the USAID Kitchen Sink Food Loss and Waste Podcast. Our goal is to share monthly, bite-sized episodes that highlight the approaches USAID and the U.S. government are taking to address FLW. We hope these episodes provide a valuable resource for those interested in why we should care about FLW and how we can reduce it. You can subscribe to receive the latest episodes of USAID’s Kitchen Sink and listen to our episodes on the platform of your choice: Apple, Spotify, and more! Video recordings of the episodes are available on YouTube. Check in every month for new episodes as global experts discuss a range of issues about FLW and methane emissions - from the critical role of youth to the staggering economic costs - and learn about specific ways that USAID is tackling FLW around the world. If you have an idea for an episode topic you’d like to see featured or if you would like to participate in an episode of USAID’s Kitchen Sink, please reach out to Nika Larian ([email protected]).There’s no time to waste!

As we celebrate the fourth International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste today, it is important to highlight the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) theme “Reducing Food Loss and Waste: Taking Action to Transform Agrifood Systems.” Today’s special episode of the USAID Kitchen Sink FLW Podcast explores the economic case for FLW: what are the economic impacts, what are the trade-offs, and how can we achieve the economic benefits of reducing FLW. In this episode, FAO Chief Economist Maximo Torero Cullen is interviewed by USAID Senior Science Advisor and FLW Co-Lead Ahmed Kablan. Together, we discuss the argument for investing in FLW reduction and the considerations for return on investment. We conclude our episode by announcing FAO’s new Food Loss App (FLAP), which can help farmers identify problem areas for food loss and offer videos and technical information to provide solutions to reduce FLW.

This month, USAID is hosting a Food Loss and Waste Theme Month on Agrilinks to recognize the fourth International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (FLW) and elevate the global conversation on FLW. To celebrate FLW Month, the USAID Kitchen Sink Podcast is publishing two special episodes in September. Our first episode is with Dana Gunders, Executive Director of ReFED, a unique organization with a large network collaborating across the food system to reduce FLW. Dana provides a “pulse check” on what is happening in the domestic FLW space and the role that ReFED plays. Together, we discuss what makes ReFED unique and how this model could be replicated in the countries in which USAID works. We conclude our conversation by discussing the importance of private sector investment in FLW reduction.You can subscribe to receive the latest episodes of USAID’s Kitchen Sink and listen to our episodes on the platform of your choice: Apple, Spotify, and more! Video recordings of the episodes are available on YouTube. Check in every month for new episodes as global experts discuss a range of issues about FLW and methane emissions - from the critical role of youth to the staggering economic costs - and learn about specific ways that USAID is tackling FLW around the world. If you have an idea for an episode topic you’d like to see featured or if you would like to participate in an episode of USAID’s Kitchen Sink, please reach out to Nika Larian ([email protected]).There’s no time to waste!

In this month’s episode of the USAID Kitchen Sink Food Loss and Waste Podcast, Anesu Mawire, Project Development Specialist in the Regional Economic Growth Office and Feed the Future Coordinator for USAID South Africa, speaks with Mandla Nkomo, Chief Growth Officer at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture’s Central Africa Hub. Anesu and Mandla discuss value addition at source and how this practice can reduce food loss and waste. Food is often produced at far distances from where it is consumed, so processing it where it is produced, or “at source,” can help protect the safety and quality of the food as it moves across the supply chain. By improving food safety, value addition at source can prevent food loss and waste. Anesu and Mandla also discuss how women and youth can be engaged in value addition at source and the importance of increasing access to finance. Are you interested in participating in an episode of USAID’s Kitchen Sink to share how you are tackling FLW by preventing, inspiring, and repurposing? Please reach out to Nika Larian ([email protected]).There’s no time (or food) to waste!

As the UN Food Systems Summit Stocktaking Moment concludes in Rome, we must continue to shine a light on the problem of food loss and waste (FLW) that strains our food systems and our climate. As the world faces the two interconnected crises of a changing climate and food insecurity, one-third of the global food supply is wasted or lost, severely hampering our efforts to end hunger, fight malnutrition, and mitigate climate change. Rotting food also emits methane – a powerful greenhouse gas with 84 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. As a result, FLW contributes approximately 8-10% of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. If FLW were a country, it would be the third largest producer of carbon dioxide in the world after the U.S. and China. UNEP estimates that FLW is associated with methane emissions near 50 Mt/yr2. This is why we need to act now, initiatives to reduce food loss and waste are critical to combat climate change and improve the overall health of our environment.This month’s episode of the USAID Kitchen Sink Food Loss and Waste Podcast features a discussion on FLW’s contribution to methane emissions with Malick Haidara, Senior Climate and Energy Advisor and Methane Coordinator at USAID, and Eleni Michalopoulou, a Research Associate at the Stockholm Environment Institute and co-author of the UNEP Global Methane Assessment. Eleni shares the link between FLW and methane as well as the major findings of the UNEP Global Methane Assessment. Malick shares USAID’s efforts to mitigate methane emissions, through the food systems and agriculture, waste and landfill management, and energy pathways. Malick and Eleni conclude their conversation with a discussion of the role of the private sector in reducing FLW and accomplishing the Methane Pledge.

Our latest episode is with Walker Lambert of Pierce Mill, part of the consortium for the Feed the Future food safety program Evidence and Action Towards Safe, Nutritious Foods (EatSafe), which operates in Nigeria and Ethiopia and aims to increase consumer demand for safer food in the traditional markets, where millions of people buy and sell food every day. Progress in food safety efforts, such as utilizing best practices to increase food safety, can simultaneously decrease food waste and loss generated in local markets. As part of EatSafe’s programmatic design, uncovering stories from people living in and around the target markets is essential; EatSafe discovered these stories, which cross borders between food safety, loss and waste, through a technique called story sourcing. These stories shined a light on nuances of the community and the relationship to the market that more formalized data collections missed. Join us as we delve into this compelling story and its implications for food safety, and food loss and waste around the world.Read up on all of the stories collected by EatSafe: eatsafe-storysourcing.org

Our latest episode is with Adil Daniel, Food Security and Water Stewardship Coordinator of the Food and Markets Program of WWF Pakistan. Adil shares the work WWF Pakistan has done to measure FLW and inform policy. We explore how WWF Pakistan conducted baseline measurements of FLW among tomatoes and rice using questionnaires and interviews. Adil explains how WWF Pakistan has advocated for FLW policy through workshops, consumer awareness campaigns, and other social media platforms.

To celebrate Stop Food Waste Day, our latest episode of the USAID Kitchen Sink Food Loss and Waste Podcast is with Pete Pearson, the Global Lead for Food Loss and Waste at World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Pete and Ahmed Kablan, Senior Science Advisor at USAID, discuss how addressing FLW can serve as a catalyst for sustainable food systems, forcing us to measure the impact of food systems on the environment. Pete shares the collaborative global network of WWF, which includes 80 offices worldwide. This network helps WWF tackle FLW to increase sustainability and preserve biodiversity. Lastly, we wrap up our episode with Pete’s wishlist of the top 2-3 advances he’d like to see in FLW and circular economy. 

Our latest episode is with David Davies, the founder of AgUnity, which is using smartphone technology to combat poverty and reduce FLW among smallholder farmers and their communities. David shares opportunities for tapping into digital and traceability technology to reduce FLW. We explore a case study of how digital technology can facilitate “triple wins” of increasing access to safe and nutritious food, safeguarding farmer livelihoods and profits, and reducing methane emissions by improving traceability across multiple agricultural supply chains. More information on AgUnity can be found in this short video.

Our latest episode is with Thoric Cederstrom, Director of Research and Learning for Food Enterprise Solutions, which implements the Feed the Future Business Drivers for Food Safety (BD4FS) Project. BD4FS works with food businesses to adopt safer food handling practices to increase access to affordable, safe, and nutritious food. Thoric and Lourdes Martinez Romero, Senior Advisor in the USAID Center for Nutrition’s Food Safety Division, discuss the role of the private sector in reducing FLW and how improving food safety practices are a key part of this. 

Our latest episode with Jacob Ricker-Gilbert, Wyatt Pracht, and Patrick Ketiem of the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Processing and Post Harvest Handling (FPIL) explores the role of youth in reducing food loss and waste. The speakers share findings from a recent project conducted in Kenya, an area where youth unemployment and smallholder farmers lacking access to agricultural inputs are two major challenges. To try and address these issues, the project conducted a randomized control trial with agricultural youth clubs to train 397 youths in business concepts, FLW reduction management and gender considerations; Youth were also linked with agricultural input suppliers and provided the opportunity to sell post-harvest inputs that included hermetic bags and low-cost moisture meters called hygrometers. The study increased access to inputs that help reduce FLW and increased the incomes of certain youth. The median youth who participated in the project gained an $10 additional monthly income. For more information, read the recent blog from FPIL.

Our latest episode with Dina Esposito, who leads USAID’s Bureau for Resilience and Food Security, explores the Agency’s prioritization of and approach to addressing FLW, which produces “triple wins” on climate, nutrition and food security, sustainable food systems, and economic development, especially in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the global food security crisis. Listen on as Dina and Ann Vaughan, Senior Advisor for Climate Change, share USAID’s FLW funding and programming that engages women and youth.If you have an idea for an episode topic you’d like to see featured or if you would like to participate in an episode of USAID’s Kitchen Sink, please reach out to Nika Larian ([email protected]).There’s no time to waste!

The USAID Research Community of Practice Sub-Group on Food Loss and Waste (FLW) aims to share research and knowledge with USAID staff and implementing partners interested in the implications of and approaches to addressing FLW. In this episode of the monthly FLW Podcast, Nika Larian, AAAS Fellow in the USAID Center for Nutrition, interviews Jagger Harvey, a Research Professor at Kansas State University and Director of the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for the Reduction of Post-Harvest Loss (PHL-IL). This episode explores the work done under the PHL-IL to address food loss and waste. Jagger shares examples from the field that aim to improve food security and discusses the research gaps that remain. For more information on the podcast or to be involved, contact Nika Larian at USAID ([email protected]).

The USAID Research Community of Practice Sub-Group on Food Loss and Waste (FLW) aims to share research and knowledge with USAID staff and implementing partners interested in the implications of and approaches to addressing FLW. In this episode of the monthly USAID FLW Podcast, Nika Larian, Food Loss and Waste Advisor at USAID, interviews Rusty Eason, a technical advisor with Brighthouse working with Food Enterprise Solutions with over 30 years of experience in the cold chain industry.Rusty shares the important role that the cold chain plays in reducing FLW and the challenges that exist, including transportation, which is the “weak link” in the supply chain most likely to break the cold chain. We explore the business case for the profitability of investing in and implementing cold chain technologies.For more information on the podcast or contribute to an episode, contact Nika Larian at USAID ([email protected]).

The USAID Research Community of Practice Sub-Group on Food Loss and Waste (FLW) aims to share research and knowledge with USAID staff and implementing partners interested in the implications of and approaches to addressing FLW. In this episode of the monthly USAID FLW Podcast, Kelley Cormier, Food Safety Division Chief at USAID, interviews Ignacio Gavilan of the Consumer Goods Forum. Ignacio shares his perspectives on the role of the private sector in reducing FLW and the potential trade-offs to be considered. Additionally, the importance of date labeling in FLW efforts is explored. For more information on the podcast or contribute to an episode, contact Nika Larian at USAID ([email protected]).

The USAD Research Community of Practice Sub-Group on Food Loss and Waste (FLW) aims to share research and knowledge with USAID staff and implementing partners interested in the implications of and approaches to addressing FLW. In this episode of the monthly FLW Podcast, Ann Vaughan, Senior Advisor for Climate Change at USAID, interviews Liz Goodwin, Senior Fellow and Director of Food Loss and Waste at the World Resources Institute (WRI). Liz shares the “101” on FLW- what it is, why should USAID Missions and IPs care about it, and what can we do to help reduce it. For more information on the podcast or to be involved, contact Nika Larian at USAID ([email protected]).