This project has resulted in a suggested definitional and methodological framework for future food waste studies in primary production. It has also resulted in a first attempt to quantify food waste in primary production in the Nordic countries. The project was focused on primary production in the Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. One purpose has been to test adequate methods for collecting data on food losses and waste from primary producers in the Nordic countries. Another purpose was to estimate the amount of food losses and waste in primary production in the Nordic Countries. In order to collect data and quantify food losses and waste in primary production it was necessary to work on these definitions or possibly introduce new, more useful terms. Thus this project involved defining terms, developing methodologies and quantifying data.

This report presents the results from six case studies of food losses and waste in primary production in the Nordic region. The product groups studied were carrots, onions, cereal (wheat or rye), green peas, field peas, and cultivated fish (rainbow trout or char). We used different methods to study the side flows: questionnaires, in-field measurements and interviews. Instead of the term “food losses and waste” we use the term “side flows”. The side flow ranged from 4 % to 31 % for vegetables, cereals and pulses and most of the side flow for occurs after harvest, e.g. when sorting and storing the products. The main reason for side flow is quality issues. Weather conditions and diseases have a major impact on the quality of the products. We cannot draw many conclusions on side flow amounts for fish based on the results. The reasons for fish side flow are mainly diseases and predators.

Food loss is a serious issue in the United States. It affects all aspects of the supply chain, from farmers to consumers. While much is already known about loss at the consumer level, our understanding of the amount of food that never makes it to this stage is more limited. The Economics of Food Loss in the Produce Industry focuses on the economics of food loss as they apply to on-farm produce production, and the losses that are experienced early. The book both analyses current food loss literature and presents new empirical research. It draws lessons from those who have encountered these issues by focusing on how past regional or national estimates of food loss have been conducted with varying degrees of success. It includes chapters on several themes: understanding food loss from an economic perspective; efforts to measure food loss; case studies across commodities within the produce industry; and economic risks and opportunities. The commodity case studies provide detailed discussion of factors impacting changes in loss levels within the produce industry, and a wealth of knowledge on strategies and contexts is developed. The book concludes by identifying critical knowledge gaps and establishing future priorities. This book serves as an essential reference guide for academics, researchers, students, legislative liaisons, non-profit associations, and think tank groups in agriculture and agricultural economics.

This report presents the results from six case studies of food losses and waste in primary production in the Nordic region. The product groups studied were carrots, onions, cereal (wheat or rye), green peas, field peas, and cultivated fish (rainbow trout or char). We used different methods to study the side flows: questionnaires, in-field measurements and interviews. Instead of the term "food losses and waste" we use the term "side flows". The side flow ranged from 4 % to 31 % for vegetables, cereals and pulses and most of the side flow for occurs after harvest, e.g. when sorting and storing the products. The main reason for side flow is quality issues. Weather conditions and diseases have a major impact on the quality of the products. We cannot draw many conclusions on side flow amounts for fish based on the results. The reasons for fish side flow are mainly diseases and predators.

Even as malnutrition in the form of hunger and obesity affect the health and well-being of millions of people worldwide, a significant amount of food is lost or wasted every day, in every country, and at every stage in the supply chain from the farm to the household. According to a 2011 estimate by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), about one-third of food produced is lost or wasted globally. Beyond quantity estimates, however, less is known about the impacts on farmers, food prices, food availability, and environment of reducing food loss and waste. On October 17, 2018, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine organized a workshop to examine key challenges that arise in reducing food loss and waste throughout the supply chain and discussed potential ways to address these challenges. This publication summarizes the presentations and discussions from the workshop.

Saving Food: Production, Supply Chain, Food Waste and Food Consumption presents the latest developments on food loss and waste. Emphasis is placed on global issues, the environmental impacts of food consumption and wasted food, wasted nutrients, raising awareness via collaborative networks and actions, the effect of food governance and policy in food losses, promotion of sustainable food consumption, food redistribution, optimizing agricultural practices, the concept of zero waste, food security and sustainable land management, optimizing food supply and cold chains, food safety in supply chain management, non-thermal food processing/preservation technologies, food waste prevention/reduction, food waste valorization and recovery. Intended to be a guide for all segments of the food industry aiming to adapt or further develop zero waste strategies, this book analyzes the problem of food waste from every angle and provides critical information on how to minimize waste. - Describes all aspects related to saving food and food security, including raising awareness, food redistribution actions, food policy and framework, food conservation, cold chain, food supply chain management, food waste reduction and valorization - Guides all segments of the industry on how to employ zero waste strategies - Analyzes key issues to create a pathway to solutions

Karen Cooper, Namy Espinoza Orias and Alexi Ernstoff are part of the FReSH project led by the World Business Council on Sustainable Development and the EAT Foundation. Food Loss and Waste is one of the transformational goals within the FReSH project, with the objective of deploying the most impactful business solutions at system level to reduce it. All other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic subject.

“The Nordic Region – leading in green growth” is the Nordic Prime Ministers’ green growth initiative under the auspices of the Nordic Council of Ministers. A number of projects have been launched as part of the prime ministers’ green growth initiative that deals with the circular economy. How to reduce food waste in the Nordic Region is one of the areas covered in the projects. The projects have mapped current shortcomings, proposed models for future solutions, and formulated policy recommendations for Nordic collaboration. The results are expected to make a significant contribution to Nordic co-operation in the coming years and have attracted considerable international interest.