Food Bank Vietnam organises a parade to mark the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste in HCM CITY on September 29. — Photo courtesy of Food Bank Vietnam

HCM CITY — Non-profits Food Bank Vietnam and the Global FoodBanking Network have launched the “Stop Food Waste” campaign to mark the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste.

The campaign, which got under way on September 29, is aimed at promoting public awareness of reducing food loss and waste and creating more sustainable food systems.

It encourages individuals, businesses and organisations to join hands to reduce waste in households, restaurants and supply chains.

It also seeks to foster food donation and promote sustainable development of agriculture and consumption through waste reduction.

Speaking at its launch ceremony, Nguyễn Tuấn Khởi, chairman of Food Bank Vietnam, said food waste is a global challenge and Việt Nam is no exception.

Việt Nam ranks second in the Asia-Pacific region in food waste, with more than eight million tonnes of food worth around US$3.9 billion wasted annually or nearly 2 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product, he said.

“The Stop Food Waste campaign is aimed at reducing food waste and creating concrete actions that contribute to building a more equitable society.”

On the occasion, Food Bank Vietnam introduced the Việt Nam Food Donation Guide that provides information about the food donation legal framework and policy recommendations for strengthening this framework. —VNS