A third of food produced globally is wasted and never reaches the dining room table. This has a huge environmental impact. The land required to grow all the food that we waste is larger than the size of China. Not to mention the water waste which is the equivalent of a year’s flow of the Volga in Russia (Europe’s second largest river). The harvesting, transportation and packaging of food waste contributes to 3.3 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide. If food waste were a country, it would be the 3rd highest emitter of CO2 after China and the USA.
In the UK alone, 3.6 million tonnes of food is wasted every year, most of which is still edible. While we are quick to criticise packaging and plastics, which have taken the limelight in the media, food waste poses an arguably bigger problem. If we are to tackle climate change, we need to focus on reducing the waste we produce.
In the UK 8.4 million people struggle to afford food. That is the equivalent to the population of London. This is where charities like the Junk Food Project come in.
They save surplus food and deliver to those that need it. This month I spent my volunteering day helping the Junk Food Project in Brighton. The day began by helping unload a truck full of fresh vegetables and food that supermarkets could not sell. There was nothing wrong with this food. It was in perfectly good condition. Crates of butternut squash, potatoes, beans, mushrooms, onions, carrots, peppers, tomatoes were hauled into St Luke’s church where we set up socially distanced benches and began our morning of peeling, chopping, and preparing food.
Once all was ready, the cafe opened. Everyone is welcome. The service is pay as you feel. Due to COVID only takeaways are allowed at the moment. People queue up and we served them hot meals along with fruit, vegetables, cake, bread and eggs – all saved from being wasted.
This is a win-win, helping those that struggle financially while saving surplus food.
The Junk Food Project also cater for corporate events and weddings. Once we can arrange these again get in touch and your event could be hosted with surplus food decreasing your carbon footprint and helping your pocket!
What other food waste charities do you know of?