Unidos Contra o Desperdício

Unidos Contra o Desperdício ('United Against Waste') is a Portuguese movement launched on the UN's International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, dedicated to drawing attention to food waste and finding ways to reduce it. It acts as an aggregator of all entities linked to the food sector and a congregator of organisations interested in fighting waste, bringing together government bodies, businesses, associations and civil society under a common cause. The movement counts with the High Patronage of the President of the Portuguese Republic and has attracted the support of more than 200 companies and entities, including major retailers such as Mercadona, as well as partnerships with associations like AHRESP and CAP. Through its website, the movement shares news, statistics, tips and recipes to help households and businesses reduce food waste, covering topics such as seasonal produce conservation, innovative food technologies (like sustainable microalgae), school canteen waste-reduction pilots, and the economic and environmental costs of wasting food in Portugal. It highlights initiatives such as the TerrAlimenta 2.0 project in the Baixo Alentejo region and urban food-growing pilots like Super Horta. Based in Montemor-o-Novo, the movement maintains an active social media presence on Facebook and Instagram, engaging thousands of followers and partner organisations such as Food Events Network. Its work spans public education, policy dialogue and cross-sector collaboration, positioning it as a central hub for the fight against food waste in Portugal.