Why So Much Food Is Lost In The Supply Chain | Food, Wasted 2/3

Summary

This script highlights the significant issue of food waste in the supply chain, particularly in Asia, where up to 40% of food is lost post-harvest due to poor handling and storage. Innovative solutions like solar dehydrators and edible coatings are presented to combat spoilage. Social enterprises and businesses like S4S and Tanihab Group are working to streamline the supply chain, reduce waste, and connect farmers directly with consumers, ensuring fresher produce and better market alignment.

Takeaways

• 🌏 Fresh produce from around the world faces significant challenges in the supply chain, with up to 40% of food in Asia lost after harvest due to poor handling and storage.
• 🇮🇳 In India, 30-40% of food waste occurs in the supply chain, which could equate to providing every family with 5 kg of fruits and vegetables weekly if saved.
• 🍠 Farmers often lack proper storage facilities, leading to the rotting of produce like potatoes and onions when exposed to moisture.
• 🌞 Refrigeration in rural India is rare due to the high cost of electricity, making it difficult to prevent spoilage in hot and humid weather.
• 🌡️ Signs for Society, a social enterprise, has developed solar-powered dehydrators to extend the shelf life of produce like onions, turmeric, and potatoes.
• 🛒 S4S, another innovative model, sorts, grades, and packs produce using special polymer packaging to maintain freshness and nutrients, serving over 700 customers including major brands.
• 🏭 Tanihab, founded by Ekkas, shortens the supply chain by establishing warehouses to receive goods directly from farms, reducing damage and spoilage.
• 🛠️ Honey Heart built a processing and packing plant to minimize human handling and reduce damage, using sorting machines to assess and categorize produce.
• 🔬 Scientists are exploring edible food coatings made from silk cocoons and low-cost aerogels from pineapple leaves to prevent food from rotting.
• 📈 To reduce food loss, it's crucial to use innovative technology for preservation and streamline the supply chain by minimizing intermediaries.
• 🛒 Consumers and businesses can contribute to reducing food waste by buying local, directly from farmers, and supporting businesses that practice efficient supply chain management.

Q & A

What is the main issue addressed in the video script?

The main issue addressed in the video script is the significant food waste that occurs in the supply chain before food reaches consumers, particularly in Asia.

What percentage of food is reported to be lost after harvest in Asia?

In Asia, up to 40% of food is reported to be lost after harvest during handling and storage.

What is the potential impact of reducing food waste in India's supply chain?

Reducing food waste in India's supply chain could potentially provide every family with 5 kg of fruit and vegetable packet free of cost every week.

What is the problem with storing onions and potatoes in the traditional way?

Onions and potatoes, when stored traditionally, can absorb moisture and spoil quickly, especially in hot and humid conditions, leading to significant waste.

How does the use of solar dehydrators by the social enterprise 'Signs for Society' help reduce food waste?

Solar dehydrators help reduce food waste by drying produce like onions, turmeric, ginger, and potatoes using solar energy, which extends their shelf life and maintains their nutritional value.

What is the innovative packaging material used by S4S to maintain the freshness and nutrients of their products?

S4S uses a special type of polymer packaging material that is oxygen and moisture proof, helping to maintain the freshness and nutrients of the dehydrated onions.

What is the role of Tanihab in the supply chain in Indonesia?

Tanihab plays a role in shortening the supply chain in Indonesia by setting up warehouses that allow goods to go straight from farms to customers, reducing spoilage and improving the freshness of produce.

What is the significance of the processing and packing plant built by Tanihab in Malang city?

The processing and packing plant in Malang city helps reduce poor handling of fruits by washing, waxing, and sorting them with minimal human touch, which can damage the quality of the produce.

What is the innovative approach taken by scientists at a research institute in Singapore to prevent food from rotting?

Scientists at a research institute in Singapore are developing an edible food coating made from silk cocoons that is water-resistant and creates a barrier to keep water, oxygen, and microorganisms out, thus preventing food from rotting.

How can the use of pineapple leaves by scientists at the National University of Singapore help in reducing food spoilage?

Scientists at the National University of Singapore have turned pineapple leaves into a low-cost aerogel that, when mixed with activated carbon, can prevent food from rotting for up to two weeks.

What is the importance of minimizing the number of stages in the supply chain to reduce food loss?

Minimizing the number of stages in the supply chain reduces the time and distance food travels, which can significantly decrease spoilage and waste, as well as improve the quality of food that reaches consumers.

How can consumers and businesses help in reducing food loss in the supply chain?

Consumers can help by buying local or directly from farmers, and businesses can support good practices by sourcing directly from farmers or supporting businesses like S4S and Tanihab, which can contribute to a more sustainable food industry.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Global Food Waste in the Supply Chain

This paragraph discusses the significant issue of food waste in the supply chain, particularly focusing on Asia and India. It highlights that up to 40% of food is lost after harvest due to inadequate handling and storage, which means a considerable amount of food never reaches the shops. The script emphasizes the potential for reducing this waste by saving losses, which could provide every family in India with a weekly packet of fruits and vegetables. It raises questions about the causes of this waste and introduces the idea that simple solutions might exist to address the problem.

05:00

🌱 Innovative Solutions for Reducing Food Waste

The second paragraph introduces innovative methods to combat food waste. It describes a social enterprise that uses solar energy to dehydrate produce, which extends the shelf life of products like onions, turmeric, ginger, and potatoes. The dehydrated products maintain their nutritional value and can last up to two years. The paragraph also mentions the importance of proper packaging to preserve freshness and nutrients, and how these innovations are being adopted by major customers, including Nestle and Indian Railways, showcasing a successful model for reducing food loss.

10:01

🛒 Streamlining the Supply Chain to Reduce Spoilage

This paragraph explores the inefficiencies in traditional supply chains and how they contribute to food spoilage. It presents the story of Tanihab, a company that established warehouses to shorten the supply chain, allowing goods to go directly from farms to customers, thus reducing damage and spoilage. The company also built a processing and packing plant to minimize human handling of fruits, ensuring better quality control. The paragraph highlights the importance of reducing the number of stages in the supply chain to decrease food waste.

15:11

🚀 Technological Advances in Food Preservation

The final paragraph delves into technological advancements that have the potential to significantly reduce food loss in the supply chain. It mentions the development of an edible food coating made from silk cocoons that prevents rotting, as well as a low-cost aerogel made from pineapple leaves that, when combined with activated carbon, can extend the life of food. The paragraph also stresses the importance of connecting farmers directly with consumers to match supply with demand, thereby reducing overproduction and waste. It concludes by encouraging consumers and businesses to support practices that minimize food loss and improve the industry.

Keywords

💡Supply Chain

The supply chain refers to the network of organizations, people, activities, information, and resources involved in creating and delivering a product or service. In the video, it is highlighted how the supply chain can lead to significant food loss, especially in Asia, where up to 40% of food is lost after harvest due to poor handling and storage.

💡Food Waste

Food waste is the discarding or spoilage of food, which is a major issue globally. The script discusses how in India, 30 to 40 percent of food waste occurs in the supply chain, illustrating the scale of the problem and its impact on resources and the environment.

💡Dehydration

Dehydration is the process of removing water from food, which can extend its shelf life. The video mentions a social enterprise using solar energy-powered dehydrators to dry produce like onions, turmeric, and potatoes, reducing spoilage and waste.

💡Moisture

Moisture is the presence of water or other liquid in a substance, which can affect the quality and preservation of food. The script uses the example of onions absorbing moisture and becoming less appealing in appearance, which can lead to waste if not managed properly.

💡Refrigeration

Refrigeration is the process of cooling a space to a temperature below that of the surroundings. The video points out that in rural India, the lack of refrigeration due to high electricity costs contributes to food spoilage and waste.

💡Solar Energy

Solar energy is the radiant energy from the sun that can be harnessed for various uses, including drying food. The script describes how a social enterprise uses solar dehydrators to dry food, which is an innovative and sustainable approach to reducing food waste.

💡Packaging

Packaging is the enclosing of products for distribution, storage, sale, or use. The video highlights the use of special polymers for oxygen and moisture-proof packaging, which helps maintain the freshness and nutrients of the food, reducing waste.

💡Storage Facilities

Storage facilities are structures designed to hold items or materials. The script discusses the lack of proper storage facilities for farmers, which results in produce rotting due to inadequate conditions during transportation and distribution.

💡Innovative Technology

Innovative technology refers to new and creative solutions that address existing problems. The video showcases various technologies, such as edible food coatings made from silk cocoons and pineapple leaves turned into aerogel, which can prevent food from rotting and reduce waste.

💡Direct Sourcing

Direct sourcing is the practice of obtaining goods or services directly from the producer or provider. The script suggests that consumers and businesses can help reduce food waste by buying local or directly from farmers, supporting businesses with good practices.

💡Best Practices

Best practices are methods or techniques that have been proven to be most effective in a particular field. The video encourages the adoption of best practices in farming and supply chain management to reduce food loss and improve efficiency.

Highlights

Food waste in the supply chain is a global issue, with up to 40% of food in Asia lost after harvest due to poor handling and storage.

In India, 30-40% of food waste occurs in the supply chain, potentially providing every family with 5 kg of free fruits and vegetables weekly if saved.

Farmers in India face challenges with erratic weather affecting the quality and preservation of crops like onions.

Lack of proper storage facilities leads to significant produce rotting, highlighting the need for innovative solutions.

S4S, a social enterprise, has developed special dehydrators that use solar energy to extend the shelf life of produce like onions, turmeric, and potatoes.

Dehydrated produce maintains nutrition and quality, with a shelf life extended from one to two years.

S4S's innovative model involves sorting, grading, and packing produce with special polymers to maintain freshness and nutrients.

Dehydrated onions from S4S are used by major clients including Nestle, Indian Railways, and various hotels and restaurants.

Tanihab, founded by Ekkas, aims to shorten the supply chain by establishing warehouses to receive goods directly from farms.

Tanihab's approach reduces damage and spoilage by minimizing the number of handling stages in the supply chain.

Honey Heart built a processing and packing plant to reduce poor handling and improve the quality of fruits.

Scientists in Singapore are developing edible food coatings from silk cocoons to prevent food from rotting.

Another group of scientists created a low-cost aerogel from pineapple leaves mixed with active carbon to extend food preservation.

Innovative technologies have the potential to significantly reduce food loss in regions lacking cold chain facilities.

Tanihab advises farmers on market demands to better match supply with consumer needs, reducing overproduction and waste.

Consumers and businesses can help reduce food waste by buying local and supporting businesses with good practices.

The next episode will explore the 'instant noodle city lifestyle' and its impact on our relationship with food.

Transcripts

for those of us who live in the cities

when we think about where our food comes

from this is probably what comes to mind

but these papayas oranges and mangoes

come from all over the world

but these won't just take overnight and

shipped here

for this fresh produce it's a battle to

make it out of the supply chain in one

piece

if at all in asia up to 40

of food is lost after harvest during

handling and storage

never even making it to the shops at all

if you look at india we have around 30

to 40 percent

of food waste is occurring in the supply

chain

it means that every week every family in

india can be gifted with 5 kg of fruit

and vegetable packet free of cost if we

save these losses

in this episode we ask the questions why

is so much

waste occurring in the supply chain

before food even reaches our plates

onion absorb the moisture the appearance

will be little bit

less than what in dry condition

we witness some farmers are throwing

their crops to the river because

they are being frustrated and can these

folks

actually make a difference in stopping

this waste

the staple in almost any indian dish

tons are grown shipped across the

country and to overseas markets

every day the problem traders face

india's erratic weather

[Music]

is

absorb the moisture so it looks the

appearance will be little bit

less than what in dry condition in

potato if water touches it or it may get

written after two days or three days

tons of produce end up rotting because

farmers don't have the proper storage

facilities

nor are there any during the long route

to the market

nor at the distribution or wholesaler

centres

generally within 24 hours same day we

sell it

keeping in cold storage our store room

is not advisable

because the electricity rates are higher

[Music]

but what if all this could be prevented

right after harvesting

in rural india refrigeration is rare

because electricity is expensive

so how do you stop produce from spoiling

in hot and wet weather

are actually taking out the moisture

from them and because of that

it gives them the extended shelf life

from one year to two years also

signs for society a social enterprise

started by a group of university

friends came up with these special

dehydrators

the real genius of it

[Music]

drying with the use of solar energy

such as onions turmeric ginger garlic

and potatoes from farmers

and sends it to be processed in villages

nearby

onion pieces are loaded into a fan dryer

which operates on minimal electricity

[Music]

then the slices are placed in a solar

dehydrator

for four hours

[Music]

the key features of this product is it

maintains the nutrition one of the

highest in the globe and it makes the

product

as good as the fresh product

[Music]

the final step

this is our sorting and trading section

here we look out for the any foreign

particle in our material that we have

received from the fields

this s4s processing factory grades

sorts and properly packs the onions

we have a special polymers these are the

special packaging material which allow

maintenance of the

freshness and the nutrients the oxygen

and moisture proof packaging

the onions go out to over 700 customers

including nestle

indian railways hotels and restaurants

all across the country

myself i'm in this restaurant field for

last 23 years

naresh used to have major problems with

the onions he got from the markets

the lower part of the things mostly got

totally rotten so i used to throw it so

the wastage in the raw material was much

more when suarez approached him to try

their dehydrated onions

he wasn't convinced major thing is the

regular eaters here people are eating

for lot fasting for 40 years is coming

regularly if i try something there

in the input obviously he'll come and

tell what has happened today

but when narash served them gravy made

with dried onions

my customers are they never showed any

difference i myself tasted it my chef

tasted everyone said

it's good s4s innovative model of

reducing food loss

could be what the rest of the farming

world needs

in every other state and even every

other third world country

same issues they face because lack of

processing their produce goes

it's a global issue the scale is huge

the potential

for the impact is also huge for now

s4s is looking to grow their business

with mentorship from dbs foundation

this is a wholesale market in indonesia

and all this waste is a consequence of

the traditional supply chain

but why food passes from farmers to

village traders

who then sell to wholesalers who sell to

distributors

who sell to retailers this process can

spend

a few days as well as hundreds of

kilometers

the more layer it will add you one more

day

receiving sorting packing and then

deliver so if

there is a four stop means that

additional four days

more days means more time without proper

cold storage

being passed from hand to hand and

squished together in trucks

guarding very long transportation there

will be

like 15 or 20 percent of damage

they stack all the fruits like this

i'll show you really quickly so you can

imagine how the vegetables at the bottom

of it

how damaged they might be this is why

like every middleman always takes a

quite a big markup because they also

lose a certain amount

it's a fragmented factor and most of the

players are traditional

almost fifty percent of the fresh

produced in indonesia have actually

damaged

ekka's solution why not shorten that

long supply chain

in 2016 he set up tanihab and later

opened five warehouses

in bogor bandung yoktakata surabaya

and bali goods went straight from the

farms to the warehouses

and from there directly to customers

we can transport the goods as soon as

possible the customer can get the

vegetables like

in fresh condition

mostly indonesian fruits are tropical we

store in the temperature of 18 to 22.

there are local foods that cannot be

stored at

those temperatures so we have ambient

temperature as well

25 28. we have also temperature

especially for leafy vegetables around 8

degrees

but there was still one problem fruits

and vegetables were still

coming to the warehouses damaged

[Music]

we are at our main processing center

where we are having our machine

to do the sorting of the fruits

so last year honey heart built a

processing and packing plant in malang

city

close to their fruit farmers that helped

reduce poor handling in human hands

this is from the farm waiting for the

process into our machine

in the sorting machine fruits are washed

the brush unit you can see

dried waxed and sorted with minimal

human touch

your hands sometimes produce sweat right

and it will ruin

the quality of the boots we have two

lines now

it will go through sorting cameras that

can take around 30 pictures of each

fruit

to see the blemish we can separate the

size

this is because of blemish you can see

half blemish this one will go to food

industry and hurricane

our policy is we are buying all grades

we are working closely with fruit stalls

food stalls resellers supermarkets and

big hyper markets

as well as food industries

can buy apple that is not very smooth in

skin

but because they are peeling it and they

are taking the flesh only

but what if there's an even simpler

solution to the problem of food spoilage

this a silk cocoon

[Music]

scientists at a research institute in

singapore are taking caterpillar cocoons

and turning them into an edible food

coating that stops food from rotting

yep water resistant and edible

it makes a barrier it is very thin it is

transparent

and the barrier is very good at keeping

the water in

and the oxygen out and the microorganism

out

it lasts until you wash it away or your

italy

they're not the only ones thinking along

these lines another group of scientists

at the national university of singapore

have turned pineapple leaves into a

low-cost aerogel

that when mixed with active carbon can

prevent food from rotting for two weeks

[Music]

these types of technologies have huge

possibilities for reducing loss in the

food supply chain

so we're thinking that this technology

can have a big impact in the region

where you don't have a cold chain

while it passage from one hand to the

other when exposed to bad weathers

in the meantime the tony hop team has

been encouraging farmers to adopt best

practices

[Music]

we tell them that if you pile this this

is your rejection rate

in the end we'll lower down the value of

your product

but if you for example be fight into two

trips

and all of the goods or the rejection

rate become very low

it means that there is more chance for

them to to sell more

but food spoilage isn't the only problem

in the long supply

chains

farmers have very little to no contact

with consumers which means they don't

know how much to produce to match the

demands of customers

for farmers like mr harianto that meant

sometimes

overproducing

we witnessed some farmers are throwing

their crops to the river because

they are being frustrated they say that

if i do the harvesting

the harvest cost is higher than my

product goods

in helping to reduce food loss we need

to start from the beginning

that's why tanihab is seeking to bridge

that gulf between farmers and customers

by advising farmers on what and how much

the market wants

so that they can better match supply to

demand

before working with us they usually got

only 50

of job in the market because of the

quality and the specs that is not seeing

with what

the market needs here after working with

us

the right of acceptance is going more

than 95

so when it comes to reducing the massive

losses in the food supply chain

two things clearly help using innovative

technology

to prevent food from going bad quickly

and minimizing the number of stages

in the chain and this is where we as

consumers can help

but how start by buying local or where

possible

buy directly from farmers themselves and

if you're a business owner and fmb

you too can play a part try sourcing

directly from farmers

or where possible support businesses

with good practices

like s4s and tiny hub it could go a long

way

in helping to change the industry for

the better

in the next episode i call it the

instant noodle city lifestyle

it's the start of the broken

relationship with food

so we're actually right on top of the

shopping mall

can bringing back farming into our

cities make us appreciate our food

better

[Music]

you