Impact of Food Drive and Meal Event to Reduce Food Loss and Waste

Author(s): Tomone Yamasaki, Sora Kudaka, Tatsuya Koyama

Introduction: This study describes a food drive initiative and subsequent meal event using the collected food items, aimed at raising awareness of food waste reduction in the local community.

Methods: A food drive and meal event was organized at X university, where food collected through the food drive was cooked and served, with an informative lecture on current food loss and waste scenario and ways of reducing it. Participants completed a survey to determine their willingness to reduce food waste.

Results: Most participants deepened their understanding and importance of the concept of food wastage and showed increased willingness to act to reduce food waste.

Conclusions: Providing participants with hands-on experience of concrete ways to reduce food waste through meals is an effective means of promoting sustainable consumption behavior. More innovative ways to encourage participation of food drive partners and local residents are needed to expand food loss and waste reduction.