Waste not, want not during Food Waste Action Week

Food Waste Action Week will be back from 17 to 23 March. 

1.7 million tonnes of fruit and veg are thrown away in the UK every year. One of the best ways we can help combat this issue is by buying our produce loose. Buying loose allows you to buy exactly what you need, meaning no more sad looking clementines being left behind in the fruit bowl! 

Food Waste Action Week is a national campaign created with the aim to halve food waste by 2030. Buying loose produce is a great first step to helping reduce overall food waste. Research by WRAP shows that if all apples, bananas and potatoes were sold loose, 8.2 million shopping baskets worth of food waste could be prevented every year.

Every small change can make a big impact and by introducing the shopping habits below into your routine, you’ll not only be helping the environment by fighting against food waste, but you’ll be reducing plastic waste too. Here are our top tips: 

• Start by writing a shopping list based on your meal plan for the week, this will allow you to know exactly what you need and how much. 
   
• Try visiting local farm shops, supermarkets and zero waste shops that offer loose produce. Check out Surrey’s Zero Waste Map to find a shop near you. 
   
• Remember to bring your own reusable bags. This reduces the need for single-use plastic bags and allows you to purchase only the quantities you require, minimising the risk of excess food going to waste.

By harnessing these habits, you can contribute to reducing food waste and play a part in supporting WRAP’s mission of halving food waste by 2030. 

For more hints and tips on reducing your food waste, visit the SEP website.