The 2024 National Food Waste Summit speaker lineup is revealed

The National Food Waste Summit 2024 will take place in Melbourne on July 24 and 25 and the speaker line-up has been announced.

This year’s pivotal event in the fight against food waste boasts an impressive line-up of international speakers and experts dedicaaimed at addressing one of the critical environmental challenges.

Leading the charge is Craig Reucassel, the dynamic host of ABC’s War on Waste, who will set the tone for the summit with a keynote address aimed at mobilizing consumers to reduce food waste.

“Craig Reucassel’s presence underlines our commitment to raising awareness and creating meaningful change. His insights will inspire attendees to take action own communities,” said Steven Lapidge, CEO of End Food Waste Australia.

Reucassel will be joined by a wide range of international speakers, including Dana Gunders, Executive Director of ReFED in the US, Jolanda Dings, Director of Sustainability at Lamb Weston EMEA in the Netherlands, and Kaitlin Dawson, Executive Director of NZ Champions 12.3 in New Zealand.

“The participation of such esteemed world leaders underlines the Summit’s commitment to promoting international cooperation and sharing best practices in the fight against food waste,” Lapidge added.

Lapidge said the expertise of Dr Lisa Johnson, an expert in on-farm food waste measurement from the US, and Toine Timmermans, director of Food Waste Free United in the Netherlands, will also be shared.

“The contributions of Dr. Johnson and Mr. Timmermans underscore the Summit’s commitment to showcasing innovative approaches and strategies from around the world,” said Lapidge.

Lapidge said in addition to international perspectives, prominent Australian experts from the food loss and waste sector will also be present.

Participants can expect to gain insight into various aspects of the food supply chain, from measurement and regulation to consumer behavior and packaging innovations.

“The participation of Australian experts underlines our commitment to tackling food waste challenges nationally and achieving tangible results.

Participants at this year’s Summit will be led by Costa Georgiadis, host of ABC’s Gardening Australia, who serves as Master of Ceremonies. Lapidge stated: “Costa Georgiadis’ passion for sustainability aligns perfectly with the objectives of the Summit. His presence will ensure that the event remains engaging and impactful throughout,” Lapidge said.

The National Food Waste Summit 2024 promises to be a must-attend event for industry leaders and organizations committed to creating a more productive and sustainable Australian food system.