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Initiative

Strategic framework for food waste prevention and recovery

Strategic framework for food waste prevention and recovery
SUBMITTED FROM:

Delta Foods S.A.

DELTA is a leading food company specializing in good nutrition, with a legacy spanning over 70 years of delivering high-quality, innovative products that meet the changing nutritional needs of Greek consumers while also promoting the benefits of the Greek Mediterranean nutrition. DELTA’s extensive product portfolio includes milk, yogurt, juices, iced tea, plant-based options, and dairy products, maintaining a strong leadership presence across multiple categories. Guided by its commitment to environmental stewardship, social contribution, and responsible governance, DELTA creates added value for all its stakeholders, playing a pivotal role in the national economy and the prosperity of Greece. DELTA is a subsidiary of the Vivartia Group.



Objective Action

Tackling food waste

 

Target Audience

The initiative pertains to the broader society.

 

Duration

The program concerns a continuous action of DELTA.


Description

Food waste is one of the biggest global issues facing the world today. A significant portion of produced food ends up being discarded, while it is perfectly safe for consumption.

DELTA, always aiming to be part of the solution, implements a comprehensive plan for continuous reduction of food waste through interventions on multiple levels, which focuses on two main pillars:

I. Food waste prevention, aiming to avoid the creation of food surpluses and waste.                                                                                   

 II. The utilization of surplus food that remains suitable for human consumption.

Towards this direction, the company implements a series of actions, both at the production stage and at the end of the product's life, with the aim of minimizing food waste and maximizing its utilization:                                                                   

 • At the production level, an innovative demand forecasting program is implemented, helping us to accurately produce the quantities by the market. In this way, in 2023, DELTA reduced forecast errors by 98% compared to 2021.                                                                                                               • Any surpluses resulting from production are donated to vulnerable social groups through reliable organizations.
• For DELTA products reaching retail, the company implements programs to reduce prices as the products' expiration date approaches and jointly undertakes the cost of surplus management, in collaboration with selected supermarket chains.                                                                                     • All products returned to DELTA are sent for processing into animal feed by specialized partners.                                                                                   • Additionally, as a member of the "Food Saving Alliance Greece", we participate in many more actions to inform and raise awareness among consumers, aiming to reduce waste at the household level.


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Impact on Society

• We reduced forecast failures by 98% compared to 2021.                                                 

• We donated 395,912 portions of food.                                                                                             

• Over 4 thousand tons were used for animal feed, which corresponds to 83% of the animal by-products returned to DELTA.                                                                               

  • Over 16,000 liters of milk were sold with a discount coupon during the time the program was implemented, the majority of which would be returned to DELTA as a refund, while at the same time the waste of fresh milk was reduced by 20,000 liters.



Initiative Location

Implementation across all areas of operation within Greece.


Working with Organization

DELTA has a wide network of partners in its food waste reduction initiatives. As a member of the "Food Saving Alliance Greece" we are in direct cooperation with the NGO "Boroume" in the context of product donations to vulnerable social groups. In addition, we are in collaboration with Greek supermarket chains and working on a price reduction program and jointly assuming the cost of surplus management, while we have specialized partners regarding the proper management and utilization of food waste.


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Workers Participation


Benefits for Οrganization

The phenomenon of food waste has large dimensions worldwide and in Greece.                                                                                                         According to Eurostat data, food waste in Greece as a whole and at the 5 stages of the food value chain (primary production, processing-processing, trade-distribution, catering, households) amounts to more than 2 million tons per year. This fact results in our country occupying one of the highest positions among the EU member states (191 kg / per capital).  For us at DELTA, taking action to prevent and address food loss and waste is of the utmost importance, as it brings significant environmental and social benefits. By reducing food waste there is a direct impact on reducing the waste of limited natural resources and the environmental footprint, while at the same time facilitating access to healthy food for fellow human beings in need.




Connection with Global Goals







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