increase font size
Simon Tucker, Fonterra
Fonterra says it is constantly looking at how to reduce food waste.
Simon Tucker, the cooperative’s director global sustainability, stakeholder affairs & trade, says Fonterra joined the Kai Commitment as a founding signatory in 2022 because of its belief in maximising “every drop of dairy nutrition”.
“We’ve committed to the Target, Measure, Act framework and are keen to collaborate with industry partners and play our role within New Zealand’s food system,” he told Dairy News.
“Our priority is to avoid food waste wherever possible, however when surplus does occur, our partnership with New Zealand Food Network ensures that product gets to the communities that need it most,” Tucker says.
Fonterra’s partnership with New Zealand Food Network kicked off in 2020 and since then the co-operative has donated approximately 34 million serves of dairy through its surplus and international donation programmes.
“As part of our waste to landfill reduction targets, we actively continue to find ways we can further reduce our food loss and waste,” Tucker says. “We have numerous projects underway to identify possible value streams, including food donation programmes and partnerships with upcycling organisations like Rescued Kitchen.”
Tucker’s comments come after the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor (PMCSA), Dame Juliet Gerrard, released 27 recommendations to the government to reduce billions of dollars of wasted food each year.
The recommendations, released late last month, were also released to more than 50 large food businesses, including Fonterra, Woolworths NZ, and Nestlé at an event hosted by New Zealand Food Waste Champions.
Gerrard says the recommendations are a call to action and aim to shift NZ towards a zero-waste economy by reducing the economic, environmental and social impacts of food waste. “Reducing food loss and waste is a win-win-win,” she says.
In the past, much has been made of the concept of farm to fork, but an Australian expert in food science and marketing with experience in the dairy industry, Dr Angeline Achariya, says the reverse of this slogan is critical to win modern day consumers.
A four year trial has reaffirmed that mixing plantain into dairy pastures can help reduce nitrogen losses to freshwater while maintaining milk production and profitability, say researchers.
Fonterra has opened its upgraded Chengdu Application Centre, bringing New Zealand dairy expertise closer to customers in one of China's fastest-growing regions.
Tatua chair Stephen Allen says he leaves the co-op with a deep sense of gratitude for the people who have contributed to its success.
Federated Farmers president Colin Hurst and his family raised a glass of milk last week to toast the start of a new addition to their farming operation at Makihihi, south of Timaru.
Celebrating 50 years in the rural landscape of Central Canterbury and beyond, Ashburton-based Carrfields, has been the exemplar for all aspects of modern agriculture via its extensive range of services including supply, growing, agronomic advice and marketing.
For Taupiri dairy farmers Logan and Sian Dawson, their involvement in the NZ Dairy Industry Awards has been a key catalyst in the growth of their business - the experience helping shape how they approach the farm ownership pathway they are pursuing today.
West Otago dairy farmer Luke Kane has been awarded the 2026 Rabobank Dr John Morris Business Development Prize.
OPINION: As the general election approaches, political parties are churning out policies in the hope of attracting more votes.
An LIC bull, Tronnoco AR Sadio-ET S3F, bred by Tony and Keri O'Connor of Tronnoco Farming Co Ltd near Timaru, has won the 2026 Mahoe Trophy.
With forecasters advising El Niño conditions will develop through winter and strengthen into spring and summer, Ballance Agri-Nutrients is encouraging farmers and growers to think ahead about nutrient planning and be prepared to work around challenging weather conditions.
OPINION: After hogging the media limelight for telling a NZ Chinese MP to "go back home", Winston Peters has decided…
OPINION: With fuel prices soaring, one would have expected most farmers to be reclaiming excise duty on petrol.
