Circular Economy in Food: good practices in the Netherlands

We were particularly interested in the second meeting of the "Action and implementation" sub-group of the EU Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste. Among other things, the objectives are to exchange good practices, information and knowledge about actions to prevent food waste and their effects.

The recent meeting took place in the Netherlands, where we had the opportunity to learn about the initiatives and actions of the Dutch "Taskforce Circular Economy in Food", an alliance of companies from all over the food supply chain, national and local authorities, civil society and other members.

Among other things, we visited a unit dealing with vegetable processing, which aims at zero waste. In the context of contractual agriculture, the producers (cooperative) produce quantities/items according to the orders of the customers of this unit. In addition, the products remaining after sorting are used to produce juices. All parts of vegetables are further used for other uses and the manufacture of by-products, such as fibres, nutrients and colourings.

We also discovered Three-Sixty, a centre for promoting knowledge and innovation in the field of circular economy and tackling food waste. "The Waste Factory " is also housed in the centre.  This is where they prepare delicious soups, sauces and juices from surplus fruits and vegetables, which would otherwise end up in the trash. At the same time, they offer training and work in the "Waste factory" to the unemployed, thus tackling both the waste of food and the "waste of talent"!