Izmir, Turkey - Globally, around 14 percent of food produced is lost between harvest and retail. Farmers discard a significant share of their crop due to factors beyond their control, such as produce not meeting supermarket standards for size and shape, or inaccurate forecasts by retailers regarding the amount of produce they will buy. These factors and others leave farmers with excess crops on their hands.

Gleaning - collecting leftover food products from farmers’ fields that haven’t been harvested for commercial use – may contribute to tackling the problem. While it offers an opportunity for environmental win by reducing food waste on farm, it also has a social benefit, as the collected fresh food can be donated to charity organisations and food banks to support those in need.

To promote gleaning as a tool to reduce food waste, FAO, in partnership with Aegean Exporters’ Associations and Konak District of the Izmir Provincial Directorate of Turkey’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, organized a Crop Festival. Being part of the Save Your Food national campaign, the festival aimed to bring together and empower communities, encouraging them to contribute to food waste reduction and to help vulnerable and food-insecure people.

The two-day event started with a virtual panel, exploring challenges and barriers to food loss and waste reduction in the country, followed with a gleaning activity, which was attended by public figures and topic experts.

Learn more here.