When it comes to fighting the fight against food waste, understanding the data behind waste problems is half the solution.

In this episode of Food Waste Matters, Dr Joanne Freeman joins Simon Lockrey from RMIT and Victor Barichello from Empauer. The two have collaborated and created a tool called DIRECT. Businesses can use this tool to measure data and give a comprehensive view of their waste. DIRECT taps into various types of data such as inventory, financial records, and material flows. It then produces efficiency measures for businesses by transforming a basic spreadsheet into a powerful, user-friendly piece of software. Find out more in this episode as they talk about:

• By showing the true cost of waste, including indirect costs like labor, energy, and rent, businesses can realise the financial impact of waste as a whole.

• A case study where DIRECT revealed a much higher true cost of waste than estimated, showcasing the tool’s impact and how much can go unseen.

• Measurement of food loss and waste and the true cost of waste, including indirect costs related to labour, energy, rent and other costs that are apportioned to the material that was wasted.

To learn more about Empauer and DIRECT please visit www.empauer.com.

This podcast is brought to you by Honey & Fox, whose passion is food and the people who produce it. Honey & Fox works with fishers, farmers and small food businesses to help them find and sell to their perfect customers – people who will buy without questioning the price. Find out more at www.honeyandfox.com.au.

This podcast is supported by End Food Waste Australia, which is leading impactful and research-informed food waste actions. To learn more about how they are working toward a more sustainable future, please visit ⁠www.endfoodwaste.com.au⁠.

What happens when a date lover and a doctor meet and find a shared passion for reducing food waste?

After the deterioration of water quality and the onset of the millennium drought in the early '90s, Dave Reilly pivoted from growing vegetables to wine grapes and eventually to date palms due to their high salt tolerance - a decision that would significantly shape their future endeavours. Dave recounts how they began in 1998 when he used offshoots from historic trees and recognised cultivars for better market possibilities. Listen in to this fascinating conversation as Jo and Dave talk about how he is turning their not-so-perfect dates into sustainable products. Within Dave’s story, you can hear about:

• How he undertook rigorous training and incorporated worldwide knowledge in tissue culture propagation, even setting up their own micropropagation facility.

• The importance of Dave securing an Australian Nuffield Farming Scholarship, allowing him to travel and explore processing methods for dates. This exposure led to their investment in date-paste production equipment. Date paste, commonly used as an ingredient in snack bars and baked goods, became a lucrative avenue for these "second-grade" dates.

• Challenges such as fruit fly restrictions impacting market access, especially to Adelaide and Perth.

Gurra Down Dates is not just about growing a niche crop but fundamentally transforming how we perceive and utilise food waste. As Dave concluded by expressing a keen outlook for future prospects, it’s evident that this innovative approach will inspire many into the future of the fight against food waste.

For more information on Gurra Down Dates, visit their website at www.gurradowns.com.au. To keep the conversation on food waste going, or if you have inspiring stories to share, subscribe and reach out to Food Waste Matters at foodwastematters@honeyandfox.com.au. Every bit counts in the fight against food waste. Let's be part of the solution.

A big thank you to Dave Reilly for his time and a big thank you for joining us for this episode.

This podcast is brought to you by Honey & Fox, whose passion is food and the people who produce it. Honey & Fox works with fishers, farmers and small food businesses to help them find and sell to their perfect customers – people who will buy without questioning the price. Find out more at www.honeyandfox.com.au.

This podcast is supported by End Food Waste Australia, which is leading impactful and research-informed food waste actions. To learn more about how they are working toward a more sustainable future, please visit ⁠www.endfoodwaste.com.au⁠.

Where you might see a blemish, Ugly Duck Fine Foods creates a delicacy.

In this episode of Food Waste Matters, host Dr. Joanne Freeman of Honey & Fox interviews Michelle Masher, the owner and founder of Ugly Duck Fine Foods in Queensland. Michelle shares her journey, inspired by her German grandparents' dairy farm, to combat food waste by transforming imperfect produce into delicious jams and relishes. Tune in to hear more about:

• The hurdles she faced in starting the business without a food industry background.

• The importance of collaboration with farmers and other businesses.

• How Michelle's creative approach has not only saved tons of imperfect but perfectly good produce, it has also garnered numerous awards, including the prestigious 'Best in Show' at the Royal Melbourne Show.

This discussion emphasises the growing consumer awareness and appreciation for sustainable practices and how important it is for businesses to leverage these trends to reduce food waste.

To learn more about Michelle and Ugly Duck Fine Foods please visit her website at uglyduckfinefoods.com.

A big thank you to Michelle and Ugly Duck Fine Foods for her time and support in fighting against food waste.

This podcast is brought to you by Honey & Fox, whose passion is food and the people who produce it. Honey & Fox works with fishers, farmers and small food businesses to help them find and sell to their perfect customers – people who will buy without questioning the price. Find out more at www.honeyandfox.com.au.

This podcast is supported by End Food Waste Australia, which is leading impactful and research-informed food waste actions. To learn more about how they are working toward a more sustainable future, please visit ⁠www.endfoodwaste.com.au⁠.