In April 2015, French policymakers released ambitious proposals for a national policy against food waste. “Fighting Food Waste: Proposals for a Public Policy” offers a set of ideas for prevention, recovery and recycling. Some measures, including a ban on supermarket food waste, have already entered the legislative process, and others may follow. Proposals recommend actions by stakeholders across the food system, including large waste generators, food processors, retailers, restaurants, and educators.

To unburden retailers from uncertainties regarding the legal liability, policy makers could establish a framework encouraging retailers to donate unmarketable food. Policy makers might consider a law similar to the “Good Samaritan Act” in the USA to limit donors’ liability.

Low-cost mobile fish retailing is an important, yet under developed sector in many developing countries. A review of activities in south east Asia identified several recommendations which have policy implications:  

• Provide more focused research on the design of improved low-cost fish retailing equipment and facilities.  
• Formulate and implement adequate training programs for street fish and fishery product vendors regarding improved facilities, equipment, and fish handling practices.  
• Promote agreements between street fish vendors’ organizations, local governments, fisheries and health government agencies, NGOs and international technical co-operation organizations for the technical evaluation and dissemination of information.  
• As the legal status of some street fish vendors remains informal, registration and licensing procedures should be simple and straightforward.  
• Formulate adequate small-scale credit programs for street fish vendors aimed at the introduction of improved low-cost facilities and equipment.  
• Organizing street fish vendors will strengthen their group activities, allow better communication and strengthen their bargaining position with the government.  
• Encourage national fisheries agencies to develop profiles of successful street fish vendors to serve as role models, including reference to low-cost fish retailing equipment and facilities. 
• Strengthen street fish vendors’ organizations/groups to help catalyse the dissemination of information on a regular basis. 
• Promote women’s participation in training activities in small business management, fish handling, and marketing. 
• More information is needed about street fish vending operations and their businesses, their number and level of economic contribution, growth trends, the issues and challenges they are facing, and access to improved infrastructure and technologies. 

Another key policy entry point is associated with environmentally friendly packaging industries. This is particularly relevant in a developing country context where often retailers, possessors, and suppliers are constrained by limited access to affordable, modern packaging materials and equipment. Policy initiatives to promote better access to these important FLW services and technologies are important.