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Food waste campaign: ¡Organiza, organizando… menos desperdicios alimentarios estamos generando!
Published on 14 May 2021
Spain
Aragón
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About this good practice
The food waste campaign: ¡Organiza, organizando… menos desperdicios alimentarios estamos generando! (Organizing… less food waste we are generating! ) organises information sessions for citizens on responsible consumption, in municipalities of the Aragon region, Spain. These information sessions are held in different small-scale markets and supermarkets to reach as many people as possible. The project managers carried out activities concerning food waste reduction around meal planning, food storage systems, and new recipes made with food scraps. The project offered fun and interactive coaching by environmental educators dressed as super-heroes to attract citizens, educate and explain how to reduce food waste in an entertaining way.
Issues related to sustainable consumption as environmental education and daily consumption habits were undertaken within 13 sessions organized in 2020. The food waste campaign informed of good practices within the circular economy and taught citizens low threshold solutions to battle food waste. Such as avoiding buying unnecessary and excess food, selecting products sold in bulk, reducing packaging and plastic bags. In addition, the project carried out a “consumer habits survey” after every session with an associated prize. This survey gave insight and information about different aspects of consumption habits; as to which are the most wasted food products, etc.
Issues related to sustainable consumption as environmental education and daily consumption habits were undertaken within 13 sessions organized in 2020. The food waste campaign informed of good practices within the circular economy and taught citizens low threshold solutions to battle food waste. Such as avoiding buying unnecessary and excess food, selecting products sold in bulk, reducing packaging and plastic bags. In addition, the project carried out a “consumer habits survey” after every session with an associated prize. This survey gave insight and information about different aspects of consumption habits; as to which are the most wasted food products, etc.
Expert opinion
The EU made the proposal to set targets for food waste reduction at EU level as part of the action plan of the “Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system” adopted in May 2020. in view of this upcoming new obligation, it is good to take action already now as changing behaviour takes time. The good practice from Aragon is a replicable way to raise citizen awareness for food waste and teach them easy to remember and implement techniques to plan means, buy and organise food storage at home and cook meals from rest food. Similar initiatives are implemented e.g. in Brussels through online courses for citizens and are popular. But the impact is hard to measure.
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
Two persons work to organise the informative campaign sessions that are approx. four-hour long. Including an information stand, roulette and other different graphic materials to attract and inform citizens of food waste and sustainable consumption. The annual cost is approximate, 15.000 Euros.
Evidence of success
The food waste campaign has reached so far approximately 150 participants each session, within the different activities. During the four-year campaign, 2800 food waste habits surveys were collected. The food waste campaign has visible media appearances in TV programmes, newspapers, etc.
Potential for learning or transfer
Key success factors for a transfer of the practice are the locations where food was sold, but it can also be replicated in other places, such as schools, workplaces or community centres. This practice can be repeated in any location with bypassers, or attended by a large number of people. It is necessary to have an open space where the organiser can place the information stand visible as well as to carry out the speech of each training. It is also advisable to have graphic resources (posters and papers) or possibility to show the website and information on the computer.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Regional Government of Aragón
Spain
Aragón
Contact