Foodstuffs has partnered with Kai Commitment, a voluntary agreement among food businesses, to minimise food waste across New Zealand.
Kai Commitment, which focuses on preventing and reducing food waste in the food industry, is led by the New Zealand Food Waste Champions, a charitable organisation established to advance UN Sustainable Development Goal 12.3, which calls for a 50 per cent reduction in food waste by 2030.
Foodstuffs says the Kai Commitment partnership matches with its commitment to be HereforNZ and the Foodstuffs Co-ops’ promises to be leaders in sustainability, assisting communities in thriving, offering meaningful work, and giving New Zealanders access to good, affordable food.
“Food waste is a significant problem, not only for business but also for consumers and suppliers,” said Mike Sammons, head of sustainability at Foodstuffs New Zealand.
In addition, Foodstuffs believes it can help reduce food poverty in New Zealand. Sammons says no organisation can tackle the problem alone, but the supermarket company is helping its local stores support food banks, social supermarkets, food rescue organisations, and focused local investment.
“By having a collaborative approach to tackle a problem we all face, the Kai Commitment gives us an opportunity to make a significant impact,” Sammons added.
In addition to Foodstuffs, Fonterra announced its participation in the Kai Commitment Initiative, alongside Countdown, Goodman Fielder, Silver Fern Farms, and Nestle.
