More than 436,000 beneficiaries, linked to institutions that make up a close aid network, were benefited by initiatives from different companies that have been implemented and perfected for several years.
The supermarket industry in Chile has been committed to the challenge of food donation for several years, joining the efforts of large and small actors to contribute in this direction, with permanent policies that have been perfected over the years and providing solutions to create greater social awareness. .
To make visible the initiatives that different companies implement, Supermercados de Chile AG (ASACH) prepared the report «Management of Supermarkets in Chile to reduce food waste, Report 2022-2023».
This document brings together positive impacts of various actions carried out by small regional supermarkets and large chains with a national presence.
Among the findings of its first report, it stands out that During 2023, 2,287 tons of food for human consumption were donated, with 436,880 beneficiaries, linked to institutions that form a close support network. This represents a growth of 7% compared to 2022, when 2,145 tons were delivered.
As another of its lines of action, Chilean supermarkets participate in the donation of food for animal consumption, supporting organizations that play an important role in the care and protection of exotic and native fauna, including the rescue of wild species of high ecological value. In 2023, supermarkets in Chile delivered 3,135 tons of meat products, fruits and vegetables, an amount that represents a slight increase compared to the result of the previous year, with 3,100 tons.
In the same way, 345 tons of food waste were transformed and converted into new products, reusing its nutritional properties thanks to projects that are part of a field of technological innovation of growing development at a national and international level. This figure represents an increase of 131% compared to 2022, when 149 tons of food were revalued.
María José Zaldivar, president of Supermercados de Chile A, G. (ASACH), explained that the industry’s approach to the problem of food loss is comprehensive, since it covers different areas: donation for human consumption, for animal consumption, waste transformation and also good practices in logistics to reduce everyone’s carbon footprint. the processes.
“There is very important territorial work, with all the value that represents an industry present throughout Chile, where both large national chains and regional supermarkets have taken on this task, with different focuses, but all very committed to the destination of food detailed the president of ASACH.
Sustainable Development Goals
According to figures from the United Nations (UN), despite the fact that a large part of the world’s population suffers from hunger, in 2022 around 1,052 million tons of food were wasted in the world by households, retail commercial establishments, restaurants and other food services.
Most food waste is the responsibility of households, where 60% comes from, equivalent to 631 million tons annually. This is followed by food services (290 million tons per year) and the retail trade sector (131 million tons per year).
That is why, as part of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals promoted by this international organization, avoiding food waste plays a key role for humanity. “Addressing food loss is urgent and requires specific data-driven policies, as well as investments in technologies, infrastructure, teaching and monitoring,” says the UN.
The report “Management of Supermarkets in Chile to reduce food waste, Report 2022-2023” is now available in the institutional website from ASACH.
