Love food, hate waste

Fed up of wasting food and want to save money?

Hertsmere Borough Council has teamed up with Tesco to promote recycling and the national 'Love Food, Hate Waste' campaign.  Events have been organised to spread the message and help show people how to do their bit for the environment and save money at the same time.

Councillor Jean Heywood, Environment Portfolio Holder, said: "A third of the food we buy in the UK ends up being thrown away which costs the average household up to £420 a year.  This is truly horrifying especially when most of it is, or once was, perfectly good enough to eat.

"Whether it's buying too much food or cooking too much food we're all guilty of wasting it, but by making small changes to our habits we can all reduce the amount we throw away and save money at the same time.

"For instance, cooking too much spaghetti is a common problem so at the events we will be giving away a portion measure so you'll know exactly how much to cook."

As well as the spaghetti portion measure, we will be giving away lots of other goodies including bag clips to keep food fresh for longer, recycled note pads and a reusable bag to put it all in.  You can also pick up leaflets and handy recipe ideas as well as enter a free prize draw!

A 'Love Food, Hate Waste' stand will be at Tesco in Potters Bar on Wednesday 2 September and at Tesco in Borehamwood on Wednesday 9 September; both events are from 10am to 2pm.

If you find you throw away food on a regular basis try:

• writing a shopping list and only getting the things you really need
• planning your meals around what needs using up
• only cooking what you will eat
• using leftovers for lunch.

For more information call 020 8207 7480 or email street.scene@hertsmere.gov.uk

For leftovers recipes and more tips on how to reduce food waste visit the 'Love Food Hate Waste' website.