This project developed a comprehensive food waste production plan for the melon industry, aimed to help reduce waste across the supply chain and boost industry profitability.  

The Melon Industry Sector Action Plan (SAP) for Food Waste Reduction establishes a vision for moving forward on food waste reduction, while recognising challenges in the production, grading and transporting, and distribution stages of the melon supply chain. The plan identifies opportunities and suggests targeted interventions designed to make an impact and bring about multiple benefits. 

This project is part of a larger project that consists of an overall Horticulture Sector Action Plan for Food Waste Reduction (Hort SAP). 

Challenge  

Food waste costs the Australian economy $36.6 billion annually, with 7.5 million tonnes wasted across the supply chain, contributing to three per cent of national greenhouse gas emissions and usage of 2600 gigalitres of water and 25 million hectares of agricultural land. The melon industry sees an average crop wastage of 20.19 per cent per farm on a national level.  

In line with the Australian Government’s (2017) goal to halve annual food waste by 2030, this project sought to address this issue.  

Response  

The project employed a mixed methods approach, including a literature review and stakeholder engagement through interviews and group workshops. These efforts identified key hotspots and root causes of waste in the melon supply chain, and recommended interventions for reduction. Findings were culminated in the Melon Industry SAP for Food Waste Reduction 2024, which outlines strategies and a roadmap for implementation.  

Ten strategies were proposed, including three for enabling the environment, five to prevent waste from being created, and two for repurposing food waste. Each strategy includes objectives, key actions, and expected short-, medium-, and long-term outcomes, with a monitoring and evaluation framework for tracking progress.  

Benefit  

The project will generate a greater awareness and understanding of food waste issues and enable businesses to adopt waste reduction practices in their own operations, enhancing both sustainability and profitability in the melon industry.