Food loss and security will worsen with climate change

Last week we shared a post about onions and it really could have been about any type of produce. Kiwifruit, berries, cucumbers, corn, potatoes, cherries. None are protected by unpredictable weather and climate change.

We share similar timings as California, where recently massive amounts of crops and farms were completely ruined by flooding. Prior to their floods, they were suffering from drought which was causing grave concern for food crops and food security. California produces the majority of the food for the United States and Canada and experts are saying we may not have some crops return for up to three years.

What will these floods mean for New Zealand’s food security and food prices? We all saw the $100 watermelon for sale due to our local watermelon growers having a bad season and having to import during a supply shortage.

This weather and these unseasonal rains are unpredictable and we will see more of it.

More than ever, it’s time to get better systems in place for food producers, pack-houses, food manufacturers and food retailers to connect to value added opportunities from food loss and food waste. We have that system with CiRCLR and actually it’s the growers who benefit most (and suffer the most due to climate change) who are the hardest to convince.

We don’t know what other signs you are waiting for.

Ditch the manual excel sheets, make it easier to record and report. Turn food loss into revenue. Prove your waste reduction to get preferential green loans while you are doing it. If you are a grower that has been hit by the Auckland flooding, reach out. We would love to offer our support.

For the food manufacturers wanting to connect to purchase food loss at bulk please continue signing up to CiRCLR.

If you’re a charity who wants to streamline your reporting and connect to opportunities, you can sign up too!

Let’s break down the silos and create a better system for food security, where everyone is rewarded.