Love Food Hate Waste campaign comes to Mildura Eco Village

Published on 08 September 2016

The Victorian Government is encouraging people to love their leftovers with a new promotion by Sustainability Victoria’s Love Food Hate Waste campaign.

The I Love Leftovers promotion shares tips, advice and recipes to help Victorian households reduce their food waste by making the most of their leftovers.

Victorian households throw away an estimated 250,000 tonnes of wasted food a year, enough to fill the Eureka Tower. It’s also hitting hip pocket, costing families $2200 a year on average.

The promotion aims to help Victorian households take simple steps to reduce the amount of food they throw away by seeing the beauty in their leftovers.

Sustainability Victoria CEO Stan Krpan said by turning leftovers into lunches or new meals Victorian households will waste less food, save money and do a little bit for the environment while they’re at it.

“The way food waste breaks down in landfill can create methane, a greenhouse gas which can lead to potential environmental and public health risks,” Mr Krpan said.

“Avoidable food waste disposed of to landfill from Victorian households has the potential to generate up to 400,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year.

“Wasting food has a significant impact on our precious resources too. When we waste food, we also waste the resources used to grow our food and the energy used to process, package and transport food from markets to our homes.

“Victorians can adopt easy methods to help them reduce their food waste, while also getting more from their grocery bill,” Environmental Sustainability Councillor Judi Harris said.

“There are practical ways to get more from your leftovers – from last night’s dinner to the last few mushrooms in your fridge.

“Council will be supporting the I Love Leftovers promotion by holding an event on Sunday 18 September at the Mildura Eco Village to help educate residents on how to reduce food waste at home,” Cr Harris said.

A pop-up kitchen will be at the Mildura Eco Village to showcase how to get more out your leftovers. Sally Lukey from Sweetpea Cuisine will prepare a range of recipes using ingredients households commonly have left over. She will also talk about the problem and impact of food waste, and share information and ideas on how to avoid it.

These sessions are designed to be interactive, with tastings of each recipe, as well as conversations with audience members - most people have their own tips for reducing food waste!

Attendees will take home recipe cards so they can try out new ways of using up leftovers to reduce the amount of food they waste and find out more about Sustainability Victoria's 'Love Food Hate Waste' campaign.

Globally, one-third of all food produced is wasted, so get involved with the promotion by following the Love Food Hate Waste Victoria Facebook page or visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.vic.gov.au to find tips, advice and recipes to help your family get more from your food.

The I Love Leftovers program will run from 11am – 2pm on Sunday 18 September 2016.  Further information is available from Council’s Environmental Sustainability team on (03) 5018 8100 or online at www.mildura.vic.gov.au/Calendar-of-Events/Love-Food-Hate-Waste

ENDS