Caritas Niger’s livelihood programme aims to improve the lives of smallholder farmers in Niger by boosting production.
Enormous quantities of food are thrown away every day.
Over the course of a year, about one third of global food production is lost or wasted.
The problem is the worst in rich countries. In Europe and North America, the average person wastes between 95 and 115 kilograms of food every year. In sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, this falls to 6 to 11 kilograms. But that’s still too much in this age of scarcity and high prices.
Caritas raises awareness about the growing seriousness of food waste as prices rise and food insecurity increases. Some national Caritas organisations redistribute good quality, untouched food through their soup kitchens. It would otherwise be thrown out.
Caritas also campaigns for sensible food production and usage policies and for action to be taken to protect and share global food production.
“Throwing away food is like stealing from the table of the poor and hungry.” Pope Francis
Caritas Updates on Food Waste

Caritas believes that 11 percent of the world's population lives in hunger is an issue that must be addressed with strong political will and commitment.

Caritas president Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle has said that the issue of food loss needs to be looked at differently and approached through government policy, lifestyle choices and spirituality.

Caritas wants you to think about food: where it comes from, how to make sure everyone’s got enough and of the right quality, its ability to bring us together and its essential role everyone’s lives.

A major independent survey of Caritas groups around the world points to the best way to end hunger – help small farmers, especially as they try to adapt to the changing climate.

On 19 May, the global Catholic humanitarian network will be the focus of 'Caritas Day' at the Expo World's Fair in Milan, Italy.

On World Food Day, the humanitarian and development organisation of the Catholic Church, Caritas Internationalis says the world has the resources to end hunger by 2025.

Pope Francis has called for Catholics worldwide to join Caritas’ “Food for All” campaign, especially during the Week of Action. Listen to his brief message and learn more about what you can do.

Caritas Europa says the European Union should support the eradication of worldwide hunger as a priority for the post-2015 agenda, and push for a clear definition of a “Zero Hunger” goal.
How Caritas works on Food
Caritas addresses today’s food problems by working on the root causes of hunger and food scarcity. It promotes investment in agricultural and rural development. Part of the solution is also ensuring that communities are made less vulnerable to the more frequent extreme weather brought by climate change. Learn more.