Recently I’ve been involved with the Gift Of Waste campaign which is being run for The European week For Waste Reduction. It aims to promote actions people can take to reduce the amount of waste they generate – specifically food waste.
I got involved with the campaign because I hate waste. It drives me mad to throw food in the bin. My daughters will tell you how very little is left on our plates at mealtimes. I think it’s because I’ve grown up with a mother that will keep even the tiniest amount of food as combined with a little of this and a little of that it could make up a whole meal. We have little pots of oil, lentils, rice and curry taking up space in the fridge when she comes to stay. It drives my husband bonkers! But it’s an upbringing. Possibly an immigrant upbringing because when you have very little you want to keep as much of it as possible. We certainly had very little when I was a child. Food, toys, clothes, shoes it was all carefully purchased and carefully looked after.
That mindset hasn’t left me and I’ve talked about it in this book that was produced for the campaign. There are many other views too. All very different but complementary. Click on the image to link through to the book.
What’s your view? Do you think you are good at minimising waste? Do you have any tips to share?
Hope it’s ok to link here to a site where lots of groups working with food waste are crowd-funding: http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/campaign/hughs-war-on-waste?utm_source=foe&utm_medium=twitter&utm_content=War%20on%20Waste&utm_campaign=campaigns
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Great post as always!! Could i share it on our Food route Local pages please?
hanks Sara – Yes of course you can share it 🙂
The book looks fab! I’m very similar with tiny pots of all sorts in my fridge, freezer and cupboards. We always eat our leftovers. If that means throwing the meal plan out of the window because I cooked too much one night, or eating last nights dinner for lunch the next day then so be it. If it was good enough the first time round it will be just as good the second. I also see my fridge as a bit of a challenge the day before a shop. I like to use up whatever I can in creative ways! You’d be amazed the weird and wonderful combinations you can put in a fritter or omlette….
I love the fridge challenge too. For us bits Friday nights before market day on Saturday
I cannot stand food waste, and have also had to accept that to some degree that working with recipe development I occasionally have to throw some stuff away. Which hugely upsets me, but it is that or my health. I do try and eat, freeze, and plan my recipe development around a meal plan.
I’ve never got on with meal plans but I see the logic behind them. I just would miss the spontaneity of cooking.
I think food saving is a bit of a country thing too. My mother in law lives in rural France and she saved every tiny thing and just brought it out at the next meal. I always do the same but then forget to use it and end up throwing it out. Work in progress I guess.
Indeed. There is always something to learn from different cultures too.
Very true. Her method of cooking is so different to mine and we enjoy learning from each other
what a lovely idea. I think it is a generational thing with our parents – both mine and my husbands did insist on keeping leftovers to recycle into new meals. We try to minimise food waste but could do better and I shall go take a look at the book to get some inspiration to up our game on the leftover front.
Thanks Nazima x
This sounds so interesting, I hate food waste too! Xo
I think this is fabulous. Seeing food go to waste pains my heart. I’ve lived in London my whole life and see all the homeless on the street and think what idiots anyone would be to just throw away their leftovers – it always makes a new meal in my house. I now also work in a restaurant in Kent and have kicked up a fuss about the sheer volume they throw out. I’ve started to take the decent bits left over to feed the staff on shift! They all think I’m mad but I believe in respecting food and appreciating what we have when so many around the world are dying for just a morsel! I’d like to share your piece also in my food section of my page if that’s ok? X
What a great idea you’ve kicked off in the restaurant where you work. You’re right it is shocking what is thrown away and what sometimes has to be thrown away because if regulation even if it’s got a good few days left.
Thank you for sharing it on your blog too x