Romania ranks high in food waste despite hunger; initiatives and EU efforts aim to reduce this imbalance.
๐ Read the article on hotnews.ro
[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]
Romania ranks fifth in Europe for food waste, discarding 3.4 million tons annually, despite approximately 28% of its population struggling to afford proper meals. Various programs are being implemented to address this imbalance. Initiatives like “Cantina Socialฤ” provide daily hot meals and weekend food packages to vulnerable citizens using donated goods from partners such as Carrefour and Danone. While Romania has ten measures for economic operators to reduce waste, mandatory implementation of two is required starting in 2024 with potential fines. Other European countries have similar regulations; for instance, Lithuania requires humanitarian agreements, while Spain and Austria mandate reporting on donations and discards. Major Romanian supermarkets like Lidl, Kaufland, and Carrefour reduce waste by offering steep discounts on near-expiry items and donating surplus food to NGOs or animals. Food banks across Romania have distributed millions of meals using salvaged food. Consumers are encouraged to participate in reducing waste through home gardening, cooking extra portions, and sharing food within the community.
