Let’s all waste less food in 2012

Love Food Hate Waste is all about making the most of the food we have. It encourages us to only buy and cook the food we need and to make the most of any leftovers through nutritious recipes.

During January the Council will be staging four Love Food Hate Waste roadshow in local supermarkets.

Council staff will be talking to shoppers, offering advice on storing food correctly, judging portion sizes and using up leftovers.

They'll also be handing out recipe cards and useful giveaways such as scoops to help measure out portions of food and fridge thermometers.

And shoppers will have the chance to win a special prize in our Love Food Hate Waste quiz.

STAN the Van will also be helping to spread the Love Food Hate Waste message.

Council staff will be on board STAN on Monday 16th January from 1.30pm to 4pm outside Fence Village Hall with information and giveaways.

Information about Love Food Hate Waste will be left on board STAN for the rest of January. STAN will be outside the Hare & Hounds Pub in Foulridge on Tuesday 17th January, at Colne Market Place on Wednesday 25th January, and outside The Beacon Centre in Nelson on Friday 27th January.

Councillor James Starkie, who represents waste and recycling in Pendle, said:

"Every year in the UK we throw away 7.2 million tonnes of food. Some of this goes to landfill where it turns into methane gas which is harmful to the environment.

"We want to encourage Pendle residents to throw away less useable food. These roadshows will help us to share tips and information about making the most of the food we buy."

Carole Taylor, Waste and Recycling Co-ordinator, said:

"As well as the environmental impact, throwing away food wastes so much money. The average family can save up to £50 a month by getting better at managing what's in their fridge and kitchen cupboards.

"By turning leftovers into tasty meals, or avoiding cooking too much at mealtimes, we can all start to put less useable food into our grey wheelie bins."

Tips for reducing the amount of food we throw away include:

• Storing food properly to keep it at its best for longer
• Using a scoop to measure out food like rice and pasta so you don't cook more than you need
• Turning leftovers into delicious meals
• Not throwing away food that could still be eaten.

For more information about Love Food Hate Waste, visit www.pendle.gov.uk/lovefoodhatewaste or www.lovefoodhatewaste.com.