Save Food Initiative strengthens global alliance with UNIDO and WPO

Since its foundation in 2011 by Messe Düsseldorf and interpack, the Save Food Initiative has been working with international organisations, industry partners and institutions to reduce food loss and waste right along the value chain.

The initiative is now further expanding its international cooperation and deepening its partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and World Packaging Organisation (WPO). The cooperation aims to continue strengthening the role of packaging, processing and industrial innovation in the global fight against food loss and waste.

“Food loss and waste is a global problem that only international cooperation can effectively address,” said Thomas Dohse, Director interpack and Save Food Initiative. “With UNIDO and the World Packaging Organisation, we are uniting industry know-how, development policy expertise and practical solutions. This partnership strengthens Save Food as a global platform and highlights the contribution that packaging and processing is able to make to realising UN Sustainable Development Goals.”

“The World Packaging Organisation (WPO) is proud to become a strategic alliance partner of the Save Food Initiative alongside FAO, UNIDO and Messe Düsseldorf. This collective group brings extensive knowledge to global and local discussions on how food loss and waste can be minimised and environmental impacts reduced wherever possible. Through the Save Food Initiative, the WPO can help elevate awareness and education about the true role that packaging plays in minimising Food Loss & Waste. The WPO truly believes that together we can support and foster sustainable food systems around the globe that interlink agriculture, farming, packing, processing, packaging, waste management and end-of-life recovery of all waste. This should be a collective effort, so we welcome everyone to be a part of the change we need,” said Nerida Kelton, Vice President Sustainability & Save Food, World Packaging Organisation (WPO).

“Strengthening the agrifood midstream is vital for advancing agro‑industrial development, expanding value addition, and building resilient, nutrition‑focused food systems. The ‘hidden middle’ remains where losses concentrate and transformation potential is greatest. Guided by the World Without Hunger Initiative and UNIDO’s Food Loss and Waste Action Plan, we continue to prioritise midstream infrastructure, climate‑smart processing, and SME capacity to reduce post‑harvest loss, enhance food safety and drive inclusive, climate‑resilient growth,” said UNIDO Managing Director Gunther Beger. “Save Food combines global industry expertise with specific on-the-ground projects. This kind of bridge-building is crucial to establishing sustainable value chains and improving long-term food security.”

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which has been a longstanding partner of Save Food since the initiative’s founding, continues to be closely involved in the work of the initiative — particularly in the areas of food security, sustainable agricultural and food systems and the development of enabling policy environments.

Save Food at interpack

One central meeting point for this collaboration will be interpack 2026 in Düsseldorf from 7 to 13 May. Together with UNIDO and the World Packaging Organisation, Save Food will be presenting a multi-day program that brings together different outlooks and formats. The program includes talks with international experts and industry representatives, including Kelton representing WPO on the panel discussion on 12 May.

The event will include a Highlight Route, where member companies will present specific solutions for reducing food loss, and the presentation of the SAVE FOOD Awards. The Save Food project competition will also be held at interpack where several projects will be honoured and financially supported for the first time. The aim is to raise the profile of successful approaches, reinforce knowledge transfer and provide specific impetus for sustainable food systems worldwide.

To find out more, visit www.interpack.de

Image credit: iStock.com/Thai Liang Lim