Even small changes in daily habits around food preparation and storage can make a big difference – not just for personal budgets, but for overall sustainability. This was the key message from the “Food Mythbusters” workshop, organised by the EU4Green project and Europe House Novi Sad at the French Institute.

The workshop addressed the most common misconceptions and mistakes that lead to food waste – from overbuying and misinterpreting expiration dates to improper food storage. Participants received practical advice on how to reduce waste, save money, and protect the environment.

“Food waste is a global issue with far-reaching consequences – not just a problem for Serbia, the Balkans or Europe. One third of all food produced worldwide ends up being wasted, contributing to hunger, economic losses, and environmental degradation,” said Carina Broneder, Circular Economy Expert at the Environment Agency Austria, who joined the event virtually. She highlighted that food waste prevention is a key element of the circular economy, noting that discarded food is responsible for around 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

As part of its support to Serbia and the Western Balkans in transitioning toward a circular economy, the EU4Green project assisted the Ministry of Environmental Protection in updating the Waste Prevention Plan – a strategic document recently adopted by the Government of Serbia. The Plan introduces concrete measures to reduce waste at national, regional, and local levels, while also fostering circular economy development.

Through interactive discussion, experts offered practical, everyday tips that everyone can apply to reduce food waste.

“In a world of limited resources and rapid population growth, wasting food is unacceptable. Food production puts huge pressure on the environment – consuming soil, water, energy, and space, while contributing to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The good news is that food waste can be significantly reduced through smart planning, rational shopping and cooking, proper storage, and creative use of leftovers. The key is to use what we already have and buy only what we truly need,” said Branka Ilakovac, Food Waste Prevention Expert and Communication Coordinator at EU4Green.

EU4Green supported the Ministry in data revision, defining indicators and measures, and setting the implementation timeline for the Waste Prevention Plan. This effort is closely linked to broader sustainability goals, including responsible consumption, food waste prevention, and raising public awareness.

“Trust in the food we eat is built on knowledge. Through this workshop, we aim to empower citizens with scientifically sound information and critical thinking tools so they can independently identify and reject food-related myths that may harm their health – and at the same time, reduce their own food waste,” said Darja Sokolić, Food Safety Expert from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

The workshop offered insights into how food waste affects the environment, how individuals can change habits, how to properly store food, and how circular economy principles can also apply in the kitchen.

EU4Green supports the implementation of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, with funding from the European Union and the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), and is implemented by the Environment Agency Austria.