Did you know:
Kiwis are wasting $3.2 billion dollars worth of food every year!
Each Kiwi household wastes an estimated $1,510 per year.
Males waste more food than females
Gen Z's (18-26) waste more food than other generations.
In 2023, Rabobank and Kiwi Harvest released their Food Waste Survey with all sorts of astonishing facts about our national food waste epidemic. With the current state of the economy, it's not surprising that survey respondents said that the 'cost of living' is their primary concern when purchasing goods/services. Ironically, if we consumers were more concerned with food waste, we might actually save some money!
Food waste is not just a financial concern—it's a significant drain on resources and energy. Consider the entire lifecycle of food: from production and transportation to packaging and preparation. When food ends up in the trash, all these resources are squandered.
Our shopping habits often contribute to this problem. We stroll through supermarkets, headphones on, filling our carts without a clear plan. We may already have enough food at home, yet we buy more, adding to the clutter in our fridges and pantries. We're enticed by special offers and bulk deals, stocking up on items we don't always use before they spoil.
Take broccoli, for example. You buy two because they're on sale, but you only needed one. After a week, you rediscover limp, forgotten broccoli and reluctantly use it. Eventually, you buy more, forgetting what's already hidden away.
This cycle not only wastes food but also the effort and resources that went into producing it. It's a costly and unnecessary burden on our wallets, the environment, and global food security. By becoming more mindful shoppers, planning meals, and managing leftovers, we can reduce food waste and make a positive impact on our finances and the planet!
More Resources:
Rabobank Food Waste Survey 2023: https://www.rabobank.co.nz/community/food-waste
Love Food Hate Waste NZ: https://lovefoodhatewaste.co.nz/
SuperCook - Zero Food Waste Generator: https://www.supercook.com/#/desktop
Related Posts
