Meadow Mushrooms leading the way in food waste innovation

One-third of world food production is lost or wasted each year while paradoxically more than 820 million people do not have enough to eat. This waste does not just occur within consumer households but transpires along the entire supply chain.

Our latest Vibe event on the 12th of May, saw Miranda Burdon, Chair of Meadow Mushrooms, talk about what Meadow Mushrooms is doing to lead the way in food waste innovation.

The UN Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 aims by 2030 to reach a target of halving global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reducing food losses along production and supply chains. Reducing food waste was ranked as the third-best global solution in combating climate change. Miranda discussed how this meant a change of processes for Meadow Mushrooms and how that, in turn, changed consumer perception.

New Zealanders waste 157,389 of food a year, worth about $1.17 billion each year. Tackling food waste by both producers and consumers can lead to triple wins environmentally, economically, and socially. Food businesses could face a 14-fold return on investment opportunities if they introduce food waste measures.

Meadow Mushrooms, a private New Zealand company, is the leading producer of mushrooms in New Zealand.

This innovative company is leading the way when it comes to food waste reduction, sustainable resources, and consumer feedback.

Meadow Mushrooms donates over 7,000 kg of mushrooms to food banks each year, which is around 70,000 servings. They take a circular approach with their sustainability planning including environmental, social, and economic factors.
Their processes use 23,000 tonnes of waste from other food and agricultural industries to make compost the mushrooms are grown in.

100% of the Spent Mushroom Compost (SMC) is then recycled into arable cropping and gardening. By upgrading their growing systems, they have managed to reduce water usage by 37%.

Choice of packaging and use of the cool chain can be game-changers by using recyclable and biodegradable packaging. Meadow Mushrooms have eliminated the equivalent of 5 million plastic drink bottles per year by implementing this. Unfortunately, the use of recyclable plastic wrap over the packages still needs to be used, however, this is essential in reducing spoiling & subsequent waste, along with the use of the cool chain.

Meadow Mushrooms stated target is to be carbon neutral by 2025. This includes future investment projects such as turning the SMC into energy through the use of a biomass boiler, reducing chemical usage on plant crops through enhanced biocontrol, and have refined a mushroom punnet using the stalks for commercial use.

Missed the event? Watch the full event recording here