Development and Planning of the Strategy against Food Waste in the Spanish Region of Cantabria

The need to establish actions to reduce food waste is part of the European Union’s comprehensive approach to efficient use of resources so that economic development must derive from a linear economy to a circular economy. One of the most important aspects to be developed in this policy framework is the fight against food waste. At a regional level, the Government of Cantabria raised strategic lines and transversal measures within the Social Emergency Plan 2016–2017 to achieve practical proposals aimed at reducing food waste, coordinating efforts that derive from a greater articulation of the agrifood value chain. The research group Economic Management for Sustainable Development of the Primary Sector, to which the authors of this book chapter belong, collaborated with the government of Cantabria to define the Strategy against food waste in Cantabria. This chapter aims to expose the collaborative process of the development and planning of this strategy. The first stage involved searching for the main initiatives carried out by public and private agents in the fight against food waste. As a result, we obtained a catalogue with more than 100 national and international initiatives. The second stage involved meetings with the Cantabria agrifood value chain agents, intending to assess the suggested proposals’ suitability. Having collected their feedback, the third stage included the selection of the final recommendations. Finally, the fourth stage included the definition of the final strategy, as well as disclosing issues. This book chapter emphasizes the need to publicize development processes prior to transversal strategies. It can serve as an example for other regions and communities that have concerns regarding food waste.