The Global FoodBanking Network and the Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic identify policy recommendations designed to decrease food waste, support food donation, and combat climate change in Nigeria.
September 14, 2022 (Nigeria) —Today, the Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic (FLPC) and The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN) released a new analysis on food donation laws and policies in Nigeria and recommendations designed to help reduce food waste, feed Nigerians facing food insecurity, and combat climate change. The research and recommendations are part of The Global Food Donation Policy Atlas, which maps laws and policies affecting food donation around the world. Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy with a GDP of US$440 billion, yet about 116 million people–or 44% of the total population–are moderately or severely food insecure while about 40% of food produced is lost after harvest. Not only would redirecting edible food to food banks support Nigerians experiencing hunger, but it would also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced by food in landfills. The new resources from FLPC and GFN, released shortly before the International Day of Awareness on Food Loss and Waste, identify five key policy opportunities for Nigeria to reduce its food loss and waste, including:- Ensure that food is donated safely without posing risks to recipients – and that businesses are encouraged to donate rather than waste edible food – by amending the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Act or publishing regulations related to the Act that elaborate on food safety for donations and producing clarifying guidance on food safety requirements relevant to donation.
- Ensure that quality-based date labels do not cause food that is safe for consumption and donation to be discarded by amending the Pre-packaged Food, Water and Ice Labeling Regulations to explicitly allow donation past the quality date, and promoting education and awareness on the meaning of date labels.
- Ensure that liability concerns do not deter potential food donors by establishing clear and comprehensive liability protection for food donors and food recovery organizations.
- Ensure that tax incentives encourage businesses to engage in food donation by amending the Companies Income Tax Act and providing a tax deduction for in-kind food donations and for the activities associated with the storage, transportation, and delivery of donated food.
- Ensure that food donors and food recovery organizations are sufficiently incentivized to donate food by creating government grant opportunities for food donation infrastructure.
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About The Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic The Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic (FLPC) serves partner organizations and communities by providing guidance on cutting-edge food system issues, while engaging law students in the practice of food law and policy. FLPC’s work focuses on increasing access to healthy foods, supporting sustainable and equitable food production, promoting community-led food system change, and reducing waste of healthy, wholesome food. FLPC is committed to advancing a cross-sector, multi-disciplinary and inclusive approach to its work, building partnerships with academic institutions, government agencies, private sector actors, and civil society with expertise in public health, the environment, and the economy. For more information, visit chlpi.org/food-law-and-policy. About Lagos Food Bank Initiative Lagos Foodbank Initiative is a non-profit nutrition-focused initiative with the goal of solving the menace of hunger, malnutrition and reducing food wastage through our programs that are targeted to the needs of the underserved. The Lagos foodbank is the first foodbank in Nigeria and was founded in 2016. Within its 6 years of operation, the Lagos foodbank has reached 2,000,000 beneficiaries across 160 communities, with a team of over 14,000 volunteers, and 7 active programs that are targeted at children, pregnant women, nursing mothers, the elderly and the unemployed/underemployed people. Currently, the foodbank has partnered with 100 nutrition-focused NGOs which has increased our reach, and the efficiency of our programs, and also reduced food wastage. Lagos foodbank also has resilient programs which provide employment opportunities through our job placement program which has catered to about 195 beneficiaries, and family farming program which trains and equips women in urban agriculture. For more information, visit lagosfoodbank.org. About The Global FoodBanking Network The Global FoodBanking Network supports community-driven solutions to alleviate hunger in nearly 50 countries. While millions struggle to access enough safe and nutritious food, nearly a third of all food produced is lost or wasted. We’re changing that. We believe food banks directed by local leaders are key to achieving Zero Hunger and building resilient food systems. For more information, visit foodbanking.org.