On 8 May 2025, researchers from the Human Sciences Research Council’s (HSRC) participated in a workshop on food loss and waste (FLW) hosted by the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA). The overarching concern that attracted participants focused on halving food loss and waste by 2030, sharing insights, and evaluating priority interventions.

South Africa’s food loss and waste initiative, according to a CGCSA presentation, rests on 3 pillars: Partners, People, and Policy.  Presentations also showed the volume of food waste as reported by companies that are signatories to this crucial waste reduction initiative. The interactive programme included group-based feasibility assessments of five priority interventions aimed at practical steps for FLW reduction.

At the workshop, the HSRC participated in a working group on FLW measurement and reporting, paying particular attention to identifying hotspots along the chicken value chain. What’s stopping us from collecting better FLW data, and acting on it? Key challenges discussed included inconsistent food waste definitions, limited capacity in retail and food service, and restricted access to data. The group emphasised the need for full value chain mapping to uncover root causes and guide targeted action.

HSRC’s participation forms part of a broader research stream under the One Food Initiative, in partnership with UK-based Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science. Its forthcoming FLW report will explore socio-economic, cultural, and structural drivers, informing inclusive and practical policy responses.

For more information on ongoing activities of the One Food project, click here.