Italian municipalities launch food‑waste reduction programs with tax incentives and cross‑border market

The municipality of Cesa in Italy has introduced a voluntary network that rewards food‑service businesses for donating surplus food. Participants receive discounts on the local waste tax (TARI) and other fiscal benefits proportionate to the kilograms of food donated, in line with national legislation that eases the tax treatment of such donations.

In a related initiative, the Metropolitan City of Bari and the municipality of Tirana (Albania) have begun a 36‑month cross‑border project to create a Farmers’ Market and a Food‑Waste Hub. Funded with about €1.63 million, the programme aims to involve 100 producers, establish five cooperatives, set up a market and a logistics hub, train public officials, and support at least 1,000 vulnerable citizens. The partnership brings together local authorities, research institutes and NGOs to shorten supply chains, improve access to healthy food, and convert food surplus into community resources.