So it costs more than you think

Note: Pressers placed in Talking Auckland are to be taken at the value you attach to them. I just pass the information on. Commentary does not always follow.

From Auckland Council

Wasting food costs you more than you think

It looks like perfectly edible food straight from the supermarket. Instead, it’s perfectly edible food straight out of household rubbish bins!

A study of bins across the nation reveals that every year the average New Zealand family throws away more than $563 worth of edible food. The average is even higher in Auckland at $574 per household.

In total, Aucklanders are disposing of edible food worth $274 million. That’s enough to pay for school lunches for all the regions’ pupils for nearly three years – and something every household shopper needs to know, says Mayor Len Brown.

“The cost of wasting edible food is staggering. The good news is, it’s really easy for people to make simple changes to reduce food waste and make their money go further.”

There are some quick and easy things that can be done including:

• Store your bread in the freezer instead of on the counter to stop it going mouldy or drying out
• Stew up any excess fruit you have that might be going soft or blend it up into a smoothie
• Check your fridge before you go shopping to see what needs using up
• Turn your leftover vegetables into a frittata, or make some fried rice

Whole loaves of bread, unopened yoghurts, uneaten apples are just some of the foods that have been found in audits across the country.

The true cost of wasting food was calculated during an audit of 1402 rubbish bins. Auckland Council is collaborating with 60 local councils on the National Food Waste Prevention Project.  The aim was to find out why food is being wasted and what can be done about it.

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For more information on how to reduce your food waste go to https://www.facebook.com/lovefoodhatewastenz

For more information on the Love Food Hate Waste Campaign please contact info@lovefoodhatewaste.co.nz

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