Measuring Food Loss:

Implementing the FOLOU methodology

About : Overview

Improving sustainability by measuring food loss

Food loss is a financial loss to farmers, a cost to the environment and a resource that could otherwise be used to feed people.

Measuring food loss is a critical first step in understanding the scale of the problem and taking action to minimise loss and improve sustainability.

This short course was developed by the University of Reading on behalf of the EU Horizon-funded FOLOU project, which is working to prevent and reduce food loss at the primary production stage.

Learn how to implement new guidance

The FOLOU project has developed a methodology and supporting guidance to measure and estimate food loss in primary production. Stakeholders may lack the time and skills to understand and interpret the guidance in relation to their operations and interests.

This course bridges the gap. It has a ‘practice’ focus to help learners translate the FOLOU guidance into targeted actions.

By the end, learners will feel confident to apply the FOLOU methodology in their context and use data to make more informed decisions.

Who is the course for? :

The course is designed for anyone interested in measuring food loss in primary production.

Course content is directed towards two key learner groups: those working at farm-level (e.g. producers, farm advisors and some researchers) and those interested in aggregating food loss data at different territorial levels (e.g. public administrators, policymakers and NGOs).

What will you achieve? : By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

Articulate the case for measuring food loss
Interpret the FOLOU food loss definition
Choose what aspects of production need to be measured
Implement appropriate food loss measurement strategies
Use the FOLOU reporting system and registry

Structure & Modules : Short course developed by University of Reading

How does it work?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

Structure and Delivery

The course is broken down into individual units covering key topics.

Each Unit contains multiple steps and most are suitable for all learners.

Occasionally, Steps are targeted towards a particular group of learners, e.g. primary producers or administrators, but remains of interest and useful to those outside these areas.

Learning Resources

The courses uses a range of learner activities including articles, videos, pols, quizzes, learner discussions and a final assessment. Many steps contain a 'Resources' section that includes links for learners seeking greater detail

Progression opportunities

The course is accredited by EIT-Food for non-degree education and training. Learners can download a free digital Certificate if they achieve an overall score of at least 70% on the final test.

Module 1: Why measuring Food Loss matters

Discover why and how to articulate the need to measure and report Food Loss
Interpret EU Food Loss datasets to reveal the extent of the problem
Highlight potential challenges to measuring Food Loss

Module 2: Define Food Loss

Analyse the FOLOU definition of Food Loss
Apply FOLOU Food Loss boundaries
Apply the FOLOU guidance to your specific context

Module 3: Determine what needs to be measured

Interpret where Food Loss occurs by commodity
Interpret where Food Loss occurs within a business

Module 4: Identify how and where to measure Food Loss

Apply the food loss measurement process
Determine measurement timing and frequency
examine worked examples

Module 5: Assess and Report Food Loss

Articulate key registry benefits
Understand the registry structure
Be able to define data entry requirements
interpret sample reports
Identify opportunities to reduce Food Loss

Review and Reflect

Check your understanding with our course assessment and find out how to continue your learning.

What's included? :

University of Reading are offering everyone who joins this course a free digital upgrade, so that you can experience the full benefits of studying online for free. This means that you get: