International Day on Food Loss and Waste: Wallonia Mobilizes

Every year, tons of edible food are discarded in Wallonia, a challenge that households can help reduce.

Close-up of fresh fruits and vegetables, some perfect, others slightly imperfect, arranged on a rustic wooden surface. Soft natural light.
AI

Close-up of fresh fruits and vegetables, some perfect, others slightly imperfect, arranged on a rustic wooden surface. Soft natural light.

This September 29 marks the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, an initiative by the United Nations to engage all stakeholders.

In Wallonia, food waste presents a significant challenge. In 2024, 678,500 tons of food waste were generated across the entire chain, including 132,000 tons of still edible food that could have been consumed.
Reducing this waste allows for better valorization of natural resources, energy, and labor invested at each stage, from production to consumption.
Households play a crucial role. According to the latest data, one in two Walloons reports discarding meal leftovers or fruits and vegetables at least once a week. Reasons include overly generous portions, expired dates, lack of time, or improper storage conditions.
Simple actions can significantly reduce food waste: planning meals, checking available stock before shopping, cooking leftovers, freezing surplus, or adjusting portion sizes.
Wallonia is aligning with European targets for food waste reduction by 2030 and continues its awareness campaigns.
Every food item counts. Let's make waste an exception, not a habit.
Based on information from the official source: SPW Environnement — Actualités (29/09/2026)