FoodWise Advocates for a Tax Incentive to Boost Food Donations
Objective: To mobilize the state and private players in the agri-food sector around a major challenge: fighting food waste. In this context, FoodWise, a social enterprise founded in 2018, is taking a new step by launching The Pact on Food Tax Relief, aimed at supporting the introduction of an ambitious social measure in the 2026-2027 budget. Signed on Monday by 24 key players in the sector, this pact marks a collective commitment to reducing waste and enhancing food security. FoodWise will participate in budget consultations to advocate for a change in the legal framework to encourage food surplus donations to organizations actively working on the ground through tax incentives.
"This first step marks a turning point, with the commitment of 24 agri-food actors who have joined our initiative by signing the Pact on Food Tax Relief," says Lotilde Charpy, General Manager of FoodWise. This initiative aims to support businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, by providing them with the means to organize food surplus donations more effectively, making donations a simple and accessible solution rather than a constraint.
"The support from the private sector confirms the relevance of this measure as we actively continue discussions with public authorities and institutions," she continues.
Beyond the tax advantage, this legislative change could, according to FoodWise estimates, redistribute up to 3 million additional meals per year, equivalent to feeding 2,000 families for an entire year. This issue is even more critical as over 146,000 tons of food are wasted annually in Mauritius, while over 100,000 people still live below the poverty line.
The signing of this pact marks a key milestone in the fight against food waste in Mauritius. "The proposed change in the law, similar to what has been done in France with the adoption of the Garot Law, could increase food donations by 30%, benefiting the most disadvantaged. We are proud of the progress made since 2018, with over 8 million meals redistributed, but this remains insufficient given the scale of needs. We are delighted to see the mobilization of sector actors: in just one year, 130 companies have enabled the redistribution of food worth 50 million rupees to over 105 NGOs. Imagine the impact that a tax incentive could generate on a national scale. Because when wills unite, results follow," adds Aisha Allee, Chair of the FoodWise board.
The Pact on Food Tax Relief brings together key players in the sector around several concrete commitments: reducing food waste, strengthening logistical capacities for donations, and collective mobilization through an awareness campaign. By adopting this law, Mauritius could be among the pioneers in the Indian Ocean and the African region. "We have the size to act quickly. We have the players to act effectively. We have the figures to convince. All that is missing is the political will to take the leap," concludes Lotilde Charpy.
"There is still much to accomplish in the face of the scale of food waste in Mauritius. This year, with this new pact, the goal is to instill a new legislative evolution to strengthen the impact of actions taken against food waste and food insecurity," explains Rebecca Espitalier-Noël, Managing Director and board member of FoodWise.
