The South Australian government has provided $300,000 over three years to the Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) as it continues its work to cut Australia’s food waste in half by 2030.
The CRC has been based at the University of Adelaide’s Waite Campus since 2018. It is also home to Stop Food Waste Australia, the new national peak body charged with delivering the National Food Waste Strategy, and the headquarters for the UK’s Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) Asia-Pacific region.
Innovation and Skills minister David Pisoni said the CRC is the largest dedicated food waste R&D organisation in the world.
“Food waste is something we can all play our part to address and here in South Australia we are leading the way.
“Global leader in the fight against food waste, WRAP, which has helped reduce business and household food waste in the UK by 27 per cent over the last decade, has now established their Asia-Pacific headquarters here in Adelaide as well,” Pisoni said.
Fight Food Waste CRC Chief Executive Officer Dr Steven Lapidge says the National Food Waste Strategy commits Australia to halve food waste by 2030 in accordance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12.3.
“With 7.6 million tonnes of food loss and waste being generated in Australia each year, enough to fill the Melbourne Cricket Ground over 10 times, this is an audacious goal,” Lapidge said.
He thanked the government and Department for Innovation and Skills for their commitment to the CRC to the end of FY24.
“I also thank the South Australian Chief Scientist, Professor Caroline McMillen, for her support as she continues to lead this State’s scientific community in collaborating with industry while driving innovation.
“This funding further helps us towards meeting our national targets for food waste reduction, which are challenging, but achievable, if we continue our work with our industry, government and research partners while also addressing food waste in the home,” Lapidge said.
The CRC and Fight Food Waste achieved some major goals in 2021, including a national food waste roadmap, the Australian Food Pact, and an in-depth study into consumer behaviour.
