Reducing food waste by half places greater demands on companies

The objective has been clear for years. By 2030, food waste in the Netherlands must be reduced by half. With its strategic plan for 2026–2030, Samen Tegen Voedselverspilling makes it clear that this goal is still far from within reach. Scaling up is necessary. And above all: more companies need to step in.

The end goal is concrete. A maximum of 1 billion kilograms of food waste in 2030, 50% less than in 2018. That requires additional effort across the entire food chain. The food manufacturing industry, foodservice, and the primary sector, in particular, are being given a more prominent role.

Scaling up is not possible without more companies

According to the plan, expanding the ecosystem is essential to maintain momentum. Samen Tegen Voedselverspilling therefore aims to attract an average of 25 new stakeholders each year. Specific attention is given to sectors where relatively few companies are currently involved, such as the food manufacturing industry and the primary sector.

The underlying reason is clear. Without broader participation, structural reduction remains out of reach. For that reason, the organization is focusing on stronger collaboration across the chain, with the number of clusters and coalitions growing from six to ten. Each year, at least one new multi-stakeholder coalition must be launched around a systemic issue.

Chair of the board Gerda Verburg emphasizes the collective nature of this challenge: “Samen maken we Nederland één van de eerste landen ter wereld die voedselverlies en -verspilling in 2030 met 50% weet terug te brengen.”

Monitoring becomes broader and more detailed

A second key pillar is monitoring. Where 100 companies from ten sectors currently report on a structural basis, this must grow to 320 companies across eighteen sectors. This will be achieved by adding new sectors each year and setting interim targets per sector toward 2030.

This broader scope makes progress more visible, both nationally and at sector level. Annual updates are intended to give companies and chain partners insight into where they stand and where adjustments are needed. Monitoring therefore becomes a more explicit steering instrument.

Consumers and Europe remain part of the approach

Alongside the business focus, consumer activation remains part of the strategy. The number of partners in the Verspillingsvrije Week is expected to grow by 10% each year, with a focus on visibility and behavioral change.

Internationally, efforts are also being scaled up. The EU hub network will expand from five to at least fifteen country partners by 2030. Collaboration focuses on monitoring, consumer activation, and building partnerships with impact, ensuring closer alignment between national and European objectives.

The strategic plan was presented on December 4 to demissionary minister Wiersma. She described the approach to food losses and food waste as highly important and stated: “I know how much effort it takes to produce our food, it is too valuable to waste.”

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