Stop Food Waste Day – 29th April 2026
Compass Group started the Stop Food Waste Day campaign in 2017 in order to bring awareness to the fight against global food waste. Today marks the 10th anniversary and it is now a day recognised globally, reaffirming that food waste is a global issue with a wide variety of environmental, social, and economic impact.
Chefs around the world all agree that with a little help, it is easy for everyone to reduce food waste in their homes.
Here are 10 tips from our chef Stuart to help you do your part in the fight against food waste:
Make A List
An average family of four losers approximately £1,000 a year on wasted food. This equates to over £80 a month, or nearly £20 a week, spent on food that is thrown away rather than eaten. (Source: WRAP). Plan ahead by making a list and only buying what you know you’ll need.
Learn The Art of Freezing
Each of us tosses nearly 300 lbs. of food each year. Get in the habit of freezing leftovers, vegetables, and fruit, instead of throwing them in the bin.
Help Save Water
Wasting a pound of beef is equivalent to running the shower for 370 minutes because of the resources needed to raise a cow. The longer meat is left out in room temperature, the quicker it will spoil. Always be sure to pick up meat, poultry, and seafood last and store it first when you get home.
Revive Your Veggies
A quick soak in ice water for 5-10 minutes can revive wilted veggies. Even if they can’t be restored, some veggies you intended to eat raw in your salad can still shine in a cooked dish.
Overcooked Isn’t Over for Good
Overcooked vegetables can always be transformed into soups or sauces. Just throw them in the blender with soup stock, milk, or cream. Vegetables like broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, and potatoes are excellent for this.
Less Air = Less Freezer Burn
This is what happens when food oxidises in the freezer. Always squeeze any excess air from plastic bags and containers. For example, you likely won’t eat a whole loaf of bread at once, so slice it, wrap it securely and place it in the freezer. Freezer burn is harmless, but it does affect taste.
Don’t Be Bananas
Browning or spoilt bananas are perfectly fine to eat. Bruised parts of bananas may be easily cut away or used. Very brown or frozen bananas are great for baking quick breads, muffins, or cakes.
Waste Less with Children
We want our children to try new foods, but studies show many children have to try a food up to 15 minutes before accepting it. Start with small portions and minimise untouched food. You can always offer seconds when they’re interested.
Use It Up
90% of us throw away food too soon. Try recipes that will use up the food that’s about to go bad in your fridge or pantry. Just because your lettuce is wilted, it doesn’t mean that it’s time to throw it away.
Get Creative
Avoid wasting food by seeing what needs to be used up before you go to the grocery store. Think of a meal to make with those items, check your pantry for the rest of the ingredients, and add missing pieces to the shopping list.
If you want to learn more about how you can make a difference, and for free tips and cookbooks, visit: www.stopfoodwasteday.com
