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Feb 17 , 2021Views : 25194
Canada receives hundreds of applications for Food Waste Reduction Challenge
The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced an impressive turnout of 343 applications received from innovators in Canada and around the world as part of the Government of Canada’s Food Waste Reduction Challenge. An initiative under the Food Policy for Canada, the $20-million Food Waste Reduction Challenge was launched in November 2020 to accelerate and advance diverse and high-impact solutions to food waste in Canada. Up to $10.8 million will be awarded under Streams A and B to innovators with business model solutions that can prevent or divert food waste at any point from farm-to-plate.
Background
Background
- According to estimates, more than half of Canada’s food supply is wasted annually, and nearly $50 billion of that wasted food is avoidable. In addition to economic costs, food waste produces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. At the same time, a growing number of Canadians are facing food insecurity.
- Approximately 30 innovators will be selected by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to receive $100,000 and become semi-finalists for Streams A and B. The semi-finalists will be announced this spring. At the third and last stage, one winner per stream will be awarded a grand prize of up to $1.5 million.
- Data related to applicants was collected through an optional survey and is not shared or used for assessment purposes.
- The Government of Canada also supported the reduction of food waste through the $50‑million Surplus Food Rescue Program, which aimed to move surplus food commodities through the food system as efficiently as possible to help vulnerable Canadians during COVID-19.
- The Government of Canada also recently announced $6 million through the AgriInnovate Program to Enterra Feed Corporation to reduce food waste. The investment aims to increase the production of sustainable, nutritious feed for animals while helping to keep food out of landfills.
- The first-ever Food Policy for Canada is a roadmap for a healthier and more sustainable food system in Canada – one that builds on the Government's ambitious agenda to support the growth of Canada's farmers and food businesses.
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