Course Description

"From Waste to Value: How to Tackle Food Waste" is an innovative, CPD-accredited online course designed to address the global food waste crisis. This comprehensive program, sponsored by EIT Food and hosted on FutureLearn, offers a deep dive into the latest trends and best practices in reducing food waste throughout the entire supply chain. The course is structured into three modules, totaling 9 hours of learning, and is suitable for anyone passionate about food sustainability, from home cooks to professional chefs and business owners.

What students will learn from the course:

• Understand the causes and impact of food waste on food security, sustainability, and climate change
• Develop strategies to reduce food waste in personal and professional settings
• Analyze retailer practices and innovations in waste reduction
• Explore the concepts of waste hierarchy and circular economy in food systems
• Create actionable changes for community impact
• Evaluate national and EU policies on food sustainability

Pre-requisites or skills necessary to complete the course:

This introductory-level course is open to all environmentally conscious individuals interested in tackling food waste. No specific prerequisites are required, making it accessible to:

• Employees in the food sector
• Restaurant owners and chefs
• Concerned consumers
• Anyone worried about the Earth's resources and eager to make a difference

What the course will cover:

• Food waste causes and global impact
• Personal and community-level strategies for food waste reduction
• Retailer practices and innovations in waste management
• Waste hierarchy and circular economy principles
• Community engagement and actionable changes
• National and EU policies on food sustainability
• Sustainable shopping and cooking practices
• Food storage techniques to minimize waste

Who this course is for:

• Environmentally conscious citizens
• Food industry professionals
• Sustainability enthusiasts
• Home cooks looking to reduce waste
• Policymakers and activists in food sustainability
• Students pursuing careers in food and nutrition
• Anyone interested in making a positive impact on the planet through food waste reduction

How learners can use these skills in the real world:

• Implementing food waste reduction strategies at home
• Developing sustainable practices for restaurants and food businesses
• Advocating for policy changes in local communities
• Educating others on the importance of food waste reduction
• Creating innovative solutions for food waste management
• Improving supply chain efficiency in the food industry
• Participating in community-led initiatives to tackle food waste
• Making informed decisions as consumers to support sustainable food practices

Syllabus:

1. Food waste and why we should care about it
   • Understanding the global food waste crisis
   • Impact on food security, sustainability, and climate change
   • Food waste statistics and environmental impact
2. Making changes at home and in the community
   • Personal food waste reduction strategies
   • Sustainable shopping and cooking practices
   • Food storage techniques
   • Community engagement and local initiatives
3. Making changes at the national level by shopping and voting
   • Analyzing retailer practices and innovations
   • Understanding national and EU policies on food sustainability
   • Consumer power and responsible shopping
   • Advocating for policy changes and sustainable food systems