Every year, huge amounts of food end up in the bin in Germany - but together we can change that! Food waste affects us all, but it's not just a challenge - it's also an opportunity to act more sustainably and responsibly. In this blog post, we show you how we at Seeberger are actively tackling food waste - and how you too can be part of the solution.
Food waste in Germany: an overview
According to a reportA by the Federal Statistical Office, around 11 million tons of food are wasted in Germany every year. This corresponds to around a third of total food production. According to a by the WWF, the extent of food waste is all the more worrying when you consider that this causes around 18 million tons of CO2 equivalents. This corresponds to around 4% of total greenhouse gas emissions in Germany. Fruit and vegetables are particularly affected, but baked goods, dairy products and meat also often end up in the bin. There are many reasons for this: incorrect planning when shopping, overly generous portion sizes and ignorance of best-before dates are just a few examples. Yet much of this food is still edible and could easily be reused.
The consequences of this waste are serious. In addition to the moral aspect of losing valuable food, food waste also has a negative impact on our environment, as enormous amounts of water, energy and other resources are used to produce the food that is thrown away. According to the WWF, around 50 percent of all water used in agriculture is used for food that is ultimately never consumed. In addition, the decomposition of food in waste produces greenhouse gases that further fuel climate change. So there is a definite need for action.
Seeberger in the fight against food waste: taking responsibility
Seeberger has always focused on sustainability - and this naturally includes the responsible handling of food. From cultivation and production to packaging and logistics, we work carefully to make the best possible use of resources and minimize waste.
- Holistic use of our raw materials: When selecting our suppliers, we attach great importance to the efficient and sustainable use of raw materials. An illustrative example of this is the processing of leftovers in the production of our dried fruit, in particular our Fairtrade pineapple. The peel of the fruit is put to good use by our local producers, for example as fuel or compost for natural fertilization.
- Efficient production and logistics: Thanks to precise planning and modern technologies, we ensure that hardly any losses are incurred during production. Our logistics processes are designed to keep food losses along the supply chain as low as possible, so the proportion of our food waste is less than one percent. Products that have reached the end of their shelf life but are still edible are donated where possible and broken goods are offered at a discount in our Seeberger Genusswelt.
- Packaging: Our packaging plays a key role in preventing food waste. Our packaging is designed to optimally protect the contents and extend shelf life. We are also constantly working on innovative packaging solutions that are not only sustainable but also practical for our consumers, such as our popcorn in new paper packaging.
- Partnerships and collaborations: We work together with various partners to make our efforts against food waste even more effective. These include organizations that are committed to rescuing food, such as Tafel Deutschland
The food bank: saving food and helping people together
One of the most important organizations in the fight against food waste in Germany is Tafel Deutschland. The Tafel collects surplus but still edible food from supermarkets, bakeries and other businesses and distributes it to people in need. Every year, over 265,000 tons of food are saved from destruction and put to good use. The work of the food banks is not only an important contribution to reducing food waste, but also provides a valuable social service by supporting people who cannot afford a sufficient and balanced diet themselves.
Through this work, the Tafel also makes an important contribution to climate protection. Every kilogram of food saved means a saving of resources and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions that would otherwise be produced during disposal. Seeberger supports this important work through donations and cooperation with the food bank, thus helping to ensure that less food ends up in the bin and instead goes to where it is urgently needed.
Together against food waste
Food waste concerns us all - and together we can achieve a lot. At Seeberger, we are aware of our responsibility and are actively committed to reducing food waste. But each and every one of us can also make a contribution: by shopping more consciously, storing food correctly and using leftovers creatively.
To specifically support the important work of food banks in Germany, we launched a campaign this fall: gemeinsam gut. Under the motto "Snack for a good cause", we are donating a small pack to the food banks in Germany for every promotional pack sold in stores. Take part, you can find more information about the campaign here: Seeberger gemeinsam more! (gemeinsam-gut.de)