Loving food, hating waste
TWEED, Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley and Richmond Valley's councils love food, but hate waste.
The North East Waste Forum which represents them all launched a campaign to promote reducing food waste at the Caldera Farmer's Markets this morning.
Tweed Shire Council environment education officer Sascha Piotrkowski and councillor Dot Holdom said every household could do their part in better managing waste.
"In NSW alone, we send more than 800,000 tonnes of food to landfill each year; much of which could have been prevented," Ms Piotrkowski said.
"Our newly developed Love Food Hate Waste marquee and performers will show householders in Tweed Shire and beyond how easy it is to prevent food waste.
"And save up to $1000 a year through planning and buying your food, preparing, cooking and storing food correctly."
Cowgirl Chef and French Chef Pierre are leading the whip-cracking and taste bud tingling education campaign.
Cowgirl Chef said northern local governments and people were doing well compared to the rest of the state.
"The region as a whole is doing fantastic," she said.
"But wasted food also means wasted resources.
"The water, energy, materials and fuel used to harvest, transport, process, package, distribute and market wasted food is also wasted."
Education co-ordinator Linda Tohver said council-led organic services were fantastic but just a start.
"This program's aim is to prevent food going into the bin in the first place," she said.
"Our performers will show Tweed householders how easy it is to prevent food waste and save through planning and buying your food, preparing, cooking and storing food correctly."
Visit lovefoodhatewaste.nsw.gov.au for more information.
