Food Action Week 2024

Published: 18 March 2024

Haddenham Parish Council is excited to announce our support for the UK’s largest annual campaign aimed at reducing food waste, Food Waste Action Week, running from 18th to 24th March 2024. This year's theme, “Choose What You’ll Use”, spotlights the importance of mindful purchasing, especially when it comes to fresh produce.

Since its inception in 2021, Food Waste Action Week has played a pivotal role in bringing together businesses, government organisations, and global partners to amplify the message about the critical impact of food waste on our environment. In the previous year, the campaign reached over 8 million people across the UK, with 162 organisations participating and the support of 12 countries globally.

The urgency of this cause cannot be overstated, with 4.7 million tonnes of edible food discarded annually by UK households. Astonishingly, a quarter of this waste stems from preparing, cooking, or serving excessive amounts. This not only has a detrimental effect on the planet but also incurs a substantial financial cost to households, amounting to £4.9 billion each year.

Food Waste Action Week 2024 aims to cultivate a culture of choosing and using food wisely, specifically encouraging the purchase of loose fruits and vegetables. This practice can significantly mitigate food waste, as evidenced by WRAP's research, which suggests that selling all apples, bananas, and potatoes loose could cut down food waste by 60,000 tonnes by allowing consumers to buy exactly what they need.

This year’s focus is not only about reducing waste but also about fostering a community-wide movement towards more environmentally friendly and financially sensible food consumption practices.

We invite everyone in our community to join us in this important campaign. By embracing the “Choose What You’ll Use” ethos, together, we can make strides towards our ambitious goal of halving food waste by 2030. Your actions, no matter how small, can lead to significant changes, protecting our planet for future generations. For more information on how you can participate and make a difference, visit WRAP’s website.

Additional information on how to reduce your food waste can be found on our HaddenhamFoodsavers page.