Countries  can strengthen food systems by investing in improved storage, transportation, and supply chain infrastructure, ensuring that perishable foods reach markets efficiently and safely. They can support the development and use of data and analytics to track inventory, demand, and distribution, helping to reduce post-harvest losses and food waste. Targeting these actions in low-income settings enhances food security, market access, and the resilience of smallholder producers.

Policymakers can drive reductions in retail and consumer food waste by funding public awareness campaigns and integrating food literacy and waste-reduction skills into education programs. They can set standards and incentives for retailers to minimize surplus, improve labeling, and promote donation or redistribution of unsold food. In high-income settings, these policies encourage behavioral change while creating systemic support for more sustainable consumption patterns.

Policymakers can support nutrient and energy recycling by creating incentives for farmers and agribusinesses to convert food and farm waste into animal feed, compost, or bioenergy. They can fund research, infrastructure, and training programs that facilitate on-farm waste recovery and safe recycling practices. Establishing regulatory frameworks that encourage circular resource use strengthens farm resilience, reduces environmental pollution, and enhances overall food system sustainability. 

The EU Waste Framework Directive promotes waste prevention, recycling, and recovery while ensuring environmental protection. As part of the revision of the Waste Framework Directive, adopted by the Commission on 5 July 2023, Member States are required to take the necessary measures to reduce food waste by the end of 2030: by 10%, in processing and manufacturing; by 30% (per capita), jointly at retail and consumption (restaurants, food services and households); and a formal review of progress will be made by Member States, by the end of 2027, followed by a review by the Commission.

The EU Bioeconomy Strategy will accelerate the deployment of a sustainable European bioeconomy. It aims to ensure food and nutrition security, manage natural resources sustainably, reduce dependence on non-renewable and unsustainable resources, limit and adapt to climate change, strengthen European competitiveness, and create jobs. The strategy is implemented by means of an action plan.