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IoPP will offer the new awards as a sponsoring member of the World Packaging Organisation’s (WPO) Packaging that Saves Food initiative, which also is being supported by many packaging organizations around the world.
IoPP’s Packaging that Saves Food Awards will recognize companies that are developing innovative and sustainable packaging that minimizes food losses and food waste, extends shelf life and improves the supply of food.
According to WPO, one-third of all food is either wasted or lost—an amount that would be enough to meet global food needs. A growing world population needs sufficient food. More than 840 million people are starving today, including in the U.S. Many of the challenges of feeding them adequately result, in underdeveloped countries, from issues at preharvest to initial handling. However, in more developed countries, such as the U.S., food waste tends to move up the value chain to the distribution, retail and consumption levels, where packaging innovation could make a difference. In North America, IoPP is taking a leadership position in bringing attention to the issue of food waste, and packaging solutions around it.
“Save Food is a topic related to the whole supply chain,” stated Dr. Johannes Bergmair, WPO’s Vice President of Sustainability and Food Safety. “And there are many ways and technologies to work on this like logistics, farm to fork transcontinental routings, transit refrigeration, storage conditions, shelf life extension, product handling, and more. Packaging is just one of them and it is the key element that WPO will focus on.”
“The AmeriStar program provides a fitting opportunity to not only bring attention to the very important matter of food waste, but also to honor the innovative packaging work that companies are doing to ensure that more of the food we produce actually makes it from field to fork,” added Jim George, IoPP Director of Education. “In North America, IoPP is honored to taking a leading role in the effort to reduce food waste and bring attention to the ways packaging can be a positive game-changer in this highly worthwhile initiative.”
The AmeriStar Packaging that Saves Food Awards will accept entries in three categories: agriculture, foodservice and retail (primary packaging). In addition, the Student AmeriStar Awards program will honor one entry that best meets the general judging criteria.
The 2017 AmeriStar competition will be open for entries soon, and judging criteria for the Packaging that Saves Food Awards will be posted on the IoPP website shortly. AmeriStar judging will take place in April 2017, with winners announced shortly thereafter. The AmeriStar Packaging that Saves Food Award winners, like the other AmeriStar winners, will go on to compete in WPO’s WorldStar Awards program. They also will be on display for international recognition at WPO’s “Save Food” exhibition at Interpack 2017 next May in Dusseldorf, Germany.
For more 2017 AmeriStar information, visit the website.
