From September 22 to 29, 2020, the first nationwide campaign week, “Germany Saves Food!” took place. During this week, numerous initiatives raised awareness about food waste and shared ideas for preventing it. Lehmann Natur is also highlighting a project in this context. In the first half of 2020 alone, the organic fruit and vegetable producer and importer from Meerbusch has already saved 16.5 metric tons of food, which directly benefits its employees. The company is also actively working to combat food waste on other levels and recently joined the wholesale and retail dialogue forum dedicated to reducing food waste.
Wilted lettuce, shriveled carrots, or apples with bruises—and even crooked cucumbers: Because of their appearance, many food items never make it to stores or end up in the trash, even though their taste is not affected. As a result, around twelve million metric tons of food are wasted every year. And this happens throughout the entire supply chain—from production through wholesale and retail all the way to the consumer.
With numerous projects, the first nationwide action week “Germany Saves Food!”—taking place from September 22 to 29, 2020—is drawing attention to this waste. As part of this initiative, the organic fruit and vegetable importer lehmann natur is also highlighting one of its own initiatives. Since late 2017, the Meerbusch-based company has been saving food from the trash thanks to its “employee box” program. Once a week, all lehmann natur employees receive fruits and vegetables that no longer meet the company’s high standards for quality, appearance, and freshness—and therefore cannot be sold—but are still safe to eat. Another portion of these goods goes to the company cafeteria and is used in the lunch meals for colleagues. Last year, 28.5 metric tons of food were saved in this way. In the first half of 2020, the total had already reached around 16.5 metric tons.
In addition to this commitment, lehmann natur is one of the first fruit and vegetable importers to participate in the “Wholesale and Retail Dialogue Forum on Reducing Food Waste.” To date, 21 stakeholders from the wholesale and retail sectors have signed a declaration of participation. “We are pleased to be part of the Dialogue Forum and to actively contribute to the fight against food waste. Through cooperation with the retail sector and our shared goal, we are confident that we can reduce the high disposal rates throughout the entire food supply chain for the benefit of both people and the environment,” emphasizes Raphael Kennerknecht, Managing Director of lehmann natur. Often, products with minor defects cannot be sold; lehmann natur wants to focus closely on this issue and engage in dialogue with its partners in the food retail sector to reduce returns. Another goal is to raise awareness among people at all levels of production and consumption and to foster a certain tolerance for imperfections or minor flaws in natural products.
The goal of the forum is for participating companies to take concrete steps to significantly reduce food waste within their own areas of responsibility, as well as to reuse or redistribute marketable food. At their points of contact with the food supply chain, they are also working together with their partners to achieve this goal. In collaboration with other initiatives, the goal is to halve the amount of food wasted worldwide compared to 2015. Food waste has a direct impact on the environment. This is because a wide variety of resources are used in its production: valuable farmland, water, and fertilizer, as well as energy for harvesting, processing, and transportation. When food ends up in the trash, these resources are wasted.
Lehmann Natur GmbH is an organic fruit and vegetable producer and importer based in Meerbusch with a wide range of products, from imported exotic organic fruits to local produce such as lettuce and root vegetables. As early as 1988, the company committed itself to the idea of enabling all consumers to enjoy sustainably grown organic fruits and vegetables, and has since viewed itself as a service provider for organic agriculture. At lehmann natur, the responsible use of resources is a priority, as is reducing food waste.
Download PDF: Press Release – Lehmann Natur Saves Food
Download images here: PM Lehmann Nature Saves Food