JRA Participates in the Launch of Jordan’s First National Food Waste Figures

The Jordan Restaurant Association (JRA) participated in the official launch of Jordan’s first national figures on food waste. The event, held in Amman, was organized by the Higher Council for Food Security and the Department of Statistics (DoS), in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) and several national and international stakeholders.

During a panel discussion at the event, Mrs. Eliana Janini, General Manager of JTRA, emphasized that addressing food waste within the restaurant sector must be a holistic process. She noted that mitigation efforts should begin at the very start of the supply chain—procurement—and continue through receiving, storage, preparation, and final service. Janini identified poor planning as the primary factor driving food waste in the industry.

The national study’s findings closely align with JRA’s direct observations and field data collected from restaurants across various governorates. The figures reveal that the restaurant sector generates 12,291 tons of food waste annually. Notably, 42% of this waste occurs during the preparation and cooking stages within kitchens, while 21.5% occurs during the serving stage. These statistics underscore that a significant portion of waste can be eliminated through improved internal management and operational controls.

Janini further explained that enhancing portion estimation, tightening procurement processes, and improving coordination between reservation management and the kitchen are vital, low-cost steps. "Standardizing preparation procedures, continuous staff training, and leveraging data and technology for demand forecasting are practical and highly effective tools," she stated. "These measures do not require massive investments but yield immediate results in reducing waste, enhancing operational efficiency, and improving service quality."

JRA reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with government entities and partners in both the public and private sectors to translate these figures into actionable policies. By doing so, the Association aims to reduce waste, enhance the sustainability of the restaurant sector, and support Jordan's national food security goals.