Households in Norfolk and Suffolk compete in reducing food waste
The project is part of the Food Savvy campaign
Last updated 11th Aug 2021
Twenty households in Norfolk and Suffolk, are going head to head in a food saving challenge this month.
The project is part of Food Savvy, a collaborative food waste reduction campaign led by Suffolk Waste Partnership, Norfolk County Council, and the environmental charity Hubbub.
Ten households each on two streets in Lowestoft and Norwich were selected to participate.
“We are constantly looking across Suffolk to find ways we can deal with waste, and food waste in particular is sometimes ignored”, said Councillor James Mallinder, East Suffolk Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment and Chair of the Suffolk Waste Partnership.
“We often focus a lot on packaging and recycling, but food waste costs us a lot of money, a lot of time and is really negative to the environment”
The participants receive a starter kit to help them reduce food waste. A key element is meal planning instead of shopping every day, for example by buying potatoes, carrots and onions and using them in different recipes throughout the week – and by getting creative.
The sustainable snack producer Snact has calculated that 1.4 million bananas are thrown away each day in Britain. “Look at all those banana breads and muffins that are effectively thrown away”, said Cllr Mallinder.
Making full use of fridge and freezer to store food to eat it later is also important. The starter kits include recipe cards for inspiration, but also plastic clips to close bags airtight and make food last longer, and measuring containers for portion control.
Cllr Mallinder said it is estimated that the average household wastes £720 in food each year: “You know, that is almost a holiday.”
He emphasised food waste is connected to other major issues such as food poverty, healthy eating, and climate protection. This is why the campaign also encourages people to cook from ingredients, put together a balanced diet, shop locally and buy seasonal fruits and vegetables.
Cllr Mallinder said: “I hope that at the end of this, everyone who has been involved with the campaign will go away with just a small change in their behaviour that will make a big lasting difference.
“I believe that the smallest of changes will make a large difference.”