FPBŻ approached us with the task of carrying out a study to help identify the prospects for reducing food waste in Poland by 2030. The study was part of a major project Development of a food waste monitoring system and an effective programme for rationalising food losses and reducing food waste – PROM project.

In order to estimate possible changes in the scale of food waste in Poland by 2030, a real-time Delphi survey was designed and conducted on the 4CF HalnyX online platform. A total of 11 selected experts – researchers and activists dealing with the topic of food waste – were invited to participate in the online Delphi survey. The survey was conducted in two stages: the first aimed at diagnosing prospects for change; the second aimed at identifying the most effective strategies to counter food waste.

Experts estimated that the probability of Poland meeting the target of reducing food waste by 50% from the 2014 level (the target set by the European Parliament) was low (23.4%). This was a clear signal to stakeholders and decision-makers that, without additional action, the achievement of this target is at serious risk. In addition, the experts identified those parts of the food production chain where losses are highest, as well as those where the potential for reduction is highest. The experts also evaluated 17 strategies for counteracting food waste in Poland. Some of the most effective were found to be the use of digital technologies to monitor shelf life and adjusting the size of food portions sold to meet customer demand.