Many of us buy more than we need at the supermarket, and the result is throwing away food that is out of date or leftovers that are passed their best.
According to the United Nations, an estimated 17 per cent of total global food productions is wasted (11 per cent in households, five per cent in food service, and two per cent in retail).
Food waste is not only a concern for our hip pocket, when food is wasted, the resources that went into producing that food are also wasted, such as water, labour, and land.
The Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre (FFWCRC) has found that Australian households are throwing away 1.78kg of food a week, which adds up to an average of $965 per person per year.
Reducing food waste is an important thing we can all do to reduce our impact on the planet, while also reducing our own grocery bills.
How can I reduce my food waste?
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nation has a list of recommendations for people wanting to reduce their food waste, such as:
Buy only what you need: by planning meals and buying only what you need at the supermarket, you can both save money and reduce your impact on the planet.
Pick ugly fruits and vegetables: oddly shaped fruits and vegetables often don’t meet the cosmetic standards of retailers and are wasted. The UN recommends finding other uses for them, as well as older produce, such as smoothies, juices and desserts.
Store food wisely: move older products to the front of your cupboard or fridge and new ones to the back. Use air-tight containers to keep open food fresh in the fridge and ensure packets are closed.
Start small: make smaller portions at home, or share larger dishes at restaurants.
Love leftovers: if you don’t eat everything you make, freeze it for later use or use the leftovers as an ingredient in another meal.
Put your food waste to use: instead of throwing away your food scraps, compost them or use them in a worm farm. Food waste that is put into council ‘green bins’ is also composted at an industrial scale.
What do I do when food goes bad?
A comprehensive audit of the contents of the Campaspe Shire’s kerbside waste collection bins by Goulburn Valley Waste and Resource Recovery Group (GVWRRG) found that 30% of Campaspe Shire’s ‘red bin’ waste was food waste.
When food waste is sent to landfills and breaks down in that environment, greenhouse gases are produced that contribute to climate change.
To best divert food waste from landfill, residents of Campaspe Shire can place all food and garden waste in their ‘green bins’, available as part of the kerbside waste collection service from council.
The contamination rate for these bins in the Shire is currently less than 1 per cent (0.95 per cent).
Food Relief Programs in Rochester:
Food security is an important part of the food waste reduction story.
Local food relief programs are available for public access, or to donate excess produce and canned or dry goods.
Rochester Community House
43/45 Mackay St, Rochester
Ph: 5484 3600
Rochester Salvation Army:
Cnr Elizabeth & Ramsay Sts, Rochester
Ph: 5484 1364
St Vincent de Paul:
72 Moore St, Rochester
Ph: 5484 3584
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