Thought Leader Thursday | Toine Timmermans – Food waste: “Waste is often the consequence of a chain that focuses on efficiency instead of effectiveness.”

In the interview series 'Thoughtleader Thursday'Every Thursday we speak to an expert in the field of a specific issue. While the corona crisis shook up the entire society, we are curious about what consequences this has had on issue management and making these Thought leaders. Closing the catering industry, reduced exports and our hoarding behavior: director Together against Food Waste, Toine Timmermans, tells more about the effects of the crisis on the food waste issue. 

What were the expectations regarding your issue before the corona crisis started? 

Before the crisis we were working on the National Champions event. This would take place on March 12, just like in previous years. However, on March 10 we decided to cancel the event. It was a difficult decision, but it turned out to be the right one. 

All stakeholders would have been present during the event, including directors with whom business could be done at a strategic level. We expected about 100 people in total. We hoped for new ones commitments from parties and to give the movement a further push. So that wasn't possible.

What happened to the issue during the crisis? 

At the beginning of the crisis, everyone wondered what would happen. We used this period to ask around how people estimated the consequences. At first there was little answer to this, but after two weeks more and more clarity emerged. The first parties started to report and it soon became clear that if there was no action, 1 billion kilos of potatoes would be wasted.  

Initiatives such as 'Support.' soon emerged Your Locals', mainly aimed at the catering industry. This is of course very important, but there are also larger food flows. That's what we focused on. After two weeks we opened a 'good food' reporting point, aimed at food flows larger than 5,000 kilos. We started working on potatoes, among other things. This year, an additional 1 million tons of food will be wasted. So I couldn't leave it at that. Our goal was to save these 1 million tons of food. All cows in the Netherlands are currently on a potato ration. Everything went to the cows! 

If you look at the amount of waste, the crisis has not helped us. It has, however, given us insight into where we stand. Which parties are doing well and where is still improvement needed? Waste is often the consequence of a chain that focuses on efficiency instead of effectiveness.

What is the current status of the issue? 

We recently started a national campaign about the expiration date. This shows positive tracking results. People understand it, are willing to do something about their behavior and the most important message appears to have actually landed.  

During the Waste-free week we also paid attention to the expiration date. Dutch people can also focus on the hamster stock that they may still have from the beginning of corona. Along the lines of: “Do you have anything lying around? Then this is the time to make something of it!”  

At the moment it is of course especially exciting how we will get out of the crisis. What will be the new normal? Will there be one? restart or will it be a reset? Everyone is of course hoping for a reset, where we do not exactly go back to the old situation. We are currently looking for parties who are willing to commit to that reset. The focus is on the sub-areas 'Sustainability & Circularity', 'Diversity & Inclusivity and 'Climate change'. These are all three topics that have common ground food waste. We are looking for major parties that want to show that a reset is better than going back to the old normal.

What are you going to do with the issue in the near future? 

This week the waste-free week takes place. All retailers participate. We have the opportunity to distribute at least 1 million tools to Dutch people to help prevent waste. Soon people will no longer be able to ignore it.  

The basic tips are very simple: Plan better what you buy, pay attention to the expiration date and set your refrigerator to 4 degrees. Research shows that a negative approach, such as emphasizing that food waste is bad, does not lead to behavioral change. So we have to formulate it all positively. It is much more interesting and effective to look at what the norm is within a certain group. Someone cares more about their neighbor or colleague than the average Dutch person.