Love Food, Hate Waste, Save Money

Reduce food waste and save money while you save the environment. That’s the message of a new waste minimisation campaign backed by Palmerston North City Council.

In New Zealand, the average family throws three full shopping trolleys of uneaten food into the bin each year, worth a whopping $560.

PNCC is one of 59 local authorities around New Zealand collaborating to help stem the tide through the Love Food Hate Waste campaign.

The campaign launches today, with a website to help people reduce the amount of food that they throw out.

“Often when we think about food waste we associate it with supermarkets and businesses, but the reality is the most significant proportion of food waste actually happens in the home,” says Natasha Hickmott, PNCC rubbish and recycling asset engineer.

“That’s why it is important to help people create less waste to begin with. The Love Food Hate Waste website has practical tips, storage guides and recipes to help people get the most out of their food.”

Ms Hickmott says making a few small changes is the easiest way to start reducing your food waste, such as storing bread in the freezer.

Bread is the most wasted food in New Zealand with 20 million loaves being thrown out each year – and that doesn’t include the bread we throw to the birds.

New Zealand’s humid climate means that bread doesn’t last well in the pantry and should be stored in the fridge or freezer to prevent it from growing mould.

Well known chefs including Annabel Langbein, Alyson Gofton and Dr Libby Weaver have donated their favourite recipes for using up odds and ends to the website.

To learn more visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.co.nz

ENDS

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