case studies looking at smallholder agricultural operations and fisheries in kenya illustrate the causes of and possible solutions to food losses. resulting approaches could be applied to other african markets, as well. these include the development of capacities along the supply chain and the targeted use of technology as well as an increase in training opportunities for growers, the establishment of local warehouses and distribution centres, and raising awareness regarding efficiency and sustainability improvements in general. these are the kinds of measures recommended by a recent baseline study conducted by the food and agriculture organisation of the united nations fao. specifically, the study deals with the issue of improving yields for milk, fish and maize in kenya. creating studies that point the way ahead is a fundamental component of save food, an initiative launched by the fao, the united nations environment programme unep and messe düsseldorf to prevent food losses and food waste. the present study primarily examines and assesses the current state of cultivation, storage and transport of selected foodstuffs in the east african country. the assessment goes beyond a simple analysis of the current situation, however, by working out detailed approaches to solving the problem. the study has been conducted against the backdrop of too much food grown in kenya &ndash as well as in many other developing countries &ndash still being lost right after the harvest. unlike many previous studies, &ldquofood loss assessment causes and solutions&rdquo &ndash the project&rsquos official title &ndash has focussed on and even emphasises the significance of individual factors responsible for losses and the distinct impact of different approaches, taking into account costs and sustainability, among other aspects. the findings of the study will be presented at the save food congress in düsseldorf on 7 and 8 may 2014, which takes place during interpack, the world&rsquos leading trade fair. this will be the second edition of the event in düsseldorf after the one in 2011, the year the save food initiative was founded. its central focus is the prevention of food losses and food waste. the save food initiative &ndash by incorporating actors from business, civil society, politics and science representing the entire length of the food value chain &ndash employs a holistic approach in the pursuit of this goal.  innovationparc packaging featuring fao and unep held on the same days as interpack and thus extending past the twoday congress, the innovationparc packaging will feature the latest developments and specific solutions surrounding the food loss issue. officials from fao and unep will be among the innovationparc packaging exhibitors. the primary objective is to demonstrate to the corporate sector a variety of approaches that can lead to the development of perfectly matched solutions. regional aspects play a key role in this context, because specific local requirements are critically important when identifying suitable solutions. platform for paneuropean coordination &ndash catering that fits the event, under the guidance of tristram stuart one key item on the agenda, taking place immediately after the save food congress, is the regional platform meeting of the eu research project fusions. its main goal is the development of a multistakeholder platform intended to support interest groups across europe as they pursue the target of reducing food waste by half and resource inputs in the food chain by 20 by 2020. the platform meeting will present a multifaceted programme of sessions and workshops covering a range of topics from social innovation to packaging to retail. last but not least, &bdquofeeding the 5000,&rdquo the initiative launched by british activist tristram stuart, will implement a practical example of how food that&rsquos been discarded and then &ldquosaved&rdquo can be used in sensible and tasty ways. a dual effect is aimed at here on the one hand, visitors will be served a lowcost but highquality meal. on the other hand, they&rsquoll come face to face with the food waste issue. &ldquofeeding the 5000&rdquo will be supported by the düsseldorf organisation &ldquoslow food youth &ndash düsseldorf.&rdquo to obtain the complete programme of events scheduled for 7 and 8 may, please visit the website www.savefood.org and select &ldquocongress 2014.&rdquo save food is a joint initiative of fao, unep and messe düsseldorf. about one third of all food produced for human consumption is thrown away or lost worldwide &ndash which amounts to approximately 1.3 billion tonnes each year. but one out of eight people worldwide are starving. less than one fourth of the food currently lost worldwide would suffice to feed these human beings. the events of 7 and 8 may 2014 will help us take one more step in the right direction. 02 may 2014 about save food the save food initiative is a cooperation between the food and agriculture organisation of the united nations, fao, and messe düsseldorf gmbh to combat global food losses and food waste. since early 2013, the initiative has also been supported by the united nations environment programme, unep. save food aims to network actors from business, politics and research, stimulate dialogue and help to work out solutions along the food value chain. save food also intends to launch and promote its own projects with the support of the industry. save food started in may 2011 with an international congress and an exhibition as part of interpack, the world&rsquos leading trade fair for the packaging industry and all related process industries. once again, experts from business, politics and research will meet in düsseldorf during interpack 2014 on 7 and 8 may to discuss food losses and food waste. for more information, please visit www.savefood.org.  contact save food press officejan lederpr and media relationsgrayling deutschland gmbhrather str. 49 dd &ndash 40476 düsseldorftel. 49 0211 &ndash 964 8541fax 49 0211 &ndash 964 8545
