Food waste affects us all! |

Food loss is a global phenomenon that tends to become a scourge on society and the environment.

At European level, food waste reaches 89 million tons every year! A number that causes the release of 170 million tons of CO2, while at the same time it is responsible for the consumption of 50% of the irrigation water.

Similarly, in our country, every year, Greek households throw away more than 1,000,000 tons of food, half of which could safely be consumed instead of ending up in the trash.

Every citizen in Greece throws away 98.2 kilos of food from his household every year. Take for example a family of four. Its waste amounts to 392.8 kg of food per year! Of these quantities, almost half could have been consumed and not thrown in the trash. A number that is awe-inspiring if we consider that every gram of food that ends up in the trash is equivalent to corresponding valuable natural resources.

In short, the loss of food releases significant amounts of greenhouse gases with absolutely no response.

“It’s time to get out of the dark”
Recognizing the importance of food waste, AB Vassilopoulos is committed reduce its own footprint by 50% by 2025 and has at its side two suitable companions – allies.

Collaboration 1st
THE AB Vassilopoulos in collaboration with Harokopio University, conducted an 18-month survey that was completed in September 2021, with the aim of investigating and evaluating food waste throughout its supply chain.

Collaboration 2nd
Accompanied by WWF Greece, AB is leading an effort to inform and educate all links in the chain, and ultimately bring about a change in consumer habits, attitudes and behaviors.

Through these two partnerships, the supermarket chain aspires to “talk” in numbers about the size of food waste, to investigate the issue, to evaluate it and to mobilize.

And take action! Starting from the operations of AB Vassilopoulos in its stores and warehouses. In addition, it places even greater emphasis on donating quality and completely safe food. Through the “Food of Love” program, as early as 2013, the first organized food donation program in the domestic retail has so far offered food worth 14.2 million euros to our fellow human beings who need it.

How can we contribute to the fight against food waste?

We can all be part of this effort by changing simple daily habits, such as unplanned shopping, the wrong way of preserving food and portioning, and not making use of leftovers.

Because if we store and preserve food properly, we reduce the chances of it ending up in the trash. Because if we offer food that we will not consume to our fellow human beings who need it, no portion of food is lost.

Here are 10 + 1 tips for our home
1. We always shop with a list that we have prepared in advance.
2. Avoid stacking a lot of food in the fridge and on the shelves.
3. Place the food that is older and expires more immediately – in the cupboards and refrigerator.
4. Preserve the food properly, following the instructions on the package.
5. Avoid putting together foods that you should not. For example, onions should not be stored next to potatoes.
6. Cook and serve the portions we need.
7. Store what is left over in food containers or in the freezer!
8. Use the freezer more and defrost it regularly in the fridge.
9. Peel fruits and vegetables “smartly”.
10. We read the labels correctly! Another “expiration date” and another “preferably consumption”.
10 + 1. If we do not consume something, we share it with someone else.

To protect our planet and create a sustainable future for all of us, in this “journey”, let us all be together!