Thünen topic

World Food Supply and Global Resources

Feeding a growing world population without overexploiting the Earth's resource base. To achieve this goal, we participate in international networks, work on technical solutions for developing countries, analyze governance concepts, and assess the consequences of policy measures.

Dossier

Promoting healthy and sustainable diets

What factors influence individual eating habits? And how can we ensure that people eat healthier, fairer and more sustainably? The Thünen Institute investigates these questions at national and international level.

Less is more: reducing food losses and waste

The production of safe food is resource-intensive. Nevertheless, one third of the quantities produced are thrown away. What strategies can help to prevent food loss and waste on their way from the fields to our plates?

Complete Dossier

How food loss and waste can arise
An average foodstuff goes through about 33 hands before it can be inspected by the customer in the supermarket. Well-coordinated flows of goods enable a smooth process. Sometimes, however, a stone comes into the gearbox. This can also lead to food losses and waste.
Food waste as an environmental pollutant
To what extent does German food waste pollute the environment? And how much must greenhouse gases be reduced so that we can meet the United Nations‘ goal of halving the per capita food waste at the retail and consumer levels by 2030?