Established by the United Nations and jointly led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), this year’s edition comes with just four years remaining until the deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda.
In Italy, the date also coincides with the 10th anniversary of Law 166/2016, known as the Gadda Law, introduced to reduce food waste and promote the redistribution of surplus food for social purposes.
Rome to host the main event in Italy
The public awareness campaign Spreco Zero will once again coordinate the Italian celebrations, with an event scheduled for 29 September at the Treccani Institute in Rome.
One of the central moments will be the presentation of the new Waste Watcher International Observatory Report, which this year will also examine the role of social media and digital tools in preventing food waste in Italy.
Speakers will include Maurizio Martina, FAO Deputy Director-General; Maximo Torero, FAO Chief Economist; and Andrea Segrè, Scientific Director of the Spreco Zero campaign and Waste Watcher International Observatory.
Food waste as a driver of social transformation
According to Segrè, the 2026 edition marks a shift in the way food waste is framed internationally.
For the first time, the issue is being presented not only as a moral responsibility, but as a tool for social transformation, with particular attention to the “transformative potential of reducing food loss and waste”.
Cutting food waste has direct implications for the climate, as it can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the unnecessary use of resources such as water, land and energy.
It also has a social dimension. Improving the redistribution of surplus food can increase access to fresh and healthy products for vulnerable population groups.
Digital tools and the Sprecometro app
The event will also present new developments linked to Sprecometro, the digital tool designed to raise awareness of household food waste and encourage more responsible consumption habits.
The growing role of digital platforms and social networks in influencing consumer behaviour will form part of the wider debate on how technology can support waste prevention.
Food is Never Waste project in the spotlight
A dedicated panel will focus on the Food is Never Waste project, led by the University of Bologna and CIHEAM Bari within the FAO-led Food Coalition, promoted by the Italian Government.
The initiative is supported by the Directorate-General for Development Cooperation of Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
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Its objective is to help target countries, particularly Tunisia, develop local strategies to prevent and reduce food loss and waste through an integrated, participatory approach adapted to national circumstances.
The event in Rome will also be streamed live on the Spreco Zero campaign’s YouTube channel.
With the 2030 deadline approaching, the 2026 International Day will once again place food waste reduction at the centre of the debate on sustainability, climate action, social inclusion and more efficient food systems.
