Dunedin supports food initiative

Dunedin (Wednesday, 1 June 2016) – Reducing food waste can help Dunedin families save money - that is the message of the new Love Food Hate Waste website being launched today.

Dunedin City Council Waste Minimisation Officer Catherine Gledhill says the average New Zealand family throws three full shopping trolleys of uneaten food into the bin each year, which is more than $560 of food going to waste.

"New Zealanders spend $872 million a year on food that will be thrown away uneaten.

In Dunedin alone $26 million of food is wasted each year.

“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.

"The Love Food Hate Waste website will help people reduce the amount of food that they throw out, in order to save money and the environment. It has practical tips, storage guides and recipes to help people get the most out of their food.”

DCC Infrastructure Services Committee Chair Cr Kate Wilson says, “While the cost of food we waste is surprising, that waste going to the landfill adds to emissions costs. Saving that waste from the landfill would come with significant other savings.”

The DCC is one of 59 councils collaborating to deliver Love Food Hate Waste around New Zealand.

Food waste will also feature at the International Food Design Festival in Dunedin from 29 June to 1 July and there will be a LFHW stand at the Otago Farmers Market on 2 July.

A key event will be the Love Food Hate Waste Cook Up with Judith Cullen who will be preparing delicious dishes for tasting while giving handy hints on how to reduce food waste, use leftovers and ultimately save money.

30 June : 6pm – 8.30pm : Kitchen Things : $25 - limited tickets available. All proceeds to FoodShare.

Visit www.dunedin.govt.nz/lfhw for more details.

ENDS

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