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| From left: Tanya Fitzgerald, SECAD; James Hogan Savour Food Programme Manager, Clean Technology Centre, CIT; and Gillian Kearney, Bramley Lodge. Photo by Adrian Connolly. |
Businesses across Munster commit to reduce food waste
100 compostable boxes to be provided free of charge to participating
food businesses
Irish food businesses waste 150,000 tonnes of food every year.
A new initiative is encouraging businesses in Munster to reduce food
waste.
The Savour Food initiative supports food businesses to reduce their
waste and their latest project sees restaurants provide take-away food
boxes to consumers who would like to bring their leftovers home with
them.
In a further move to promote sustainability, the food boxes are 100%
compostable.
This initiative will allow participating businesses to reduce food waste
while raising awareness around food waste amongst staff and customers.
It is estimated that Irish food businesses waste 150,000 tonnes of food
every year.
Businesses involved in the initiative so far include The Bramley Lodge
in Carrigtwohill, Co Cork and The Yarn Café at Carebright in Bruff, Co.
Limerick. Additional Savour Food businesses can be viewed on
https://savourfood.ie/members/
James Hogan, Programme Manager said: “In Ireland we waste a million
tonnes of food waste every year, which is a huge shame. For the food
service sector, accurate portion control is a key part of reducing waste
and reducing costs. However there will be times when the customer will
not eat all that's on their plate. We want to see this food going to a
good home rather than being wasted.”
Five facts about food waste in Ireland
It is estimated that every year the Irish food sector wastes 150,000
tonnes of food.
The main sources of food waste in the Irish food service sector are
plate waste (38%), preparation waste (35%) and unserved food waste
(27%).
A proportion of ‘unavoidable’ food waste comes from peelings and
off-cuts. On average, this waste accounts for just 25% of food waste
thrown away.
Food waste has been calculated to cost €2.73 - €3.50 per kilogram.
If food waste cannot be prevented, donating or distributing to people is
the next best option. More information is available from the Food Safety
Authority of Ireland.
Information from the Less Food Waste More Profit publication by the
Clean Technology Centre at:
https://ctc-cork.ie/wp-content
About Savour Food
Savour Food is a food waste reduction initiative for business. The Clean
Technology Centre (CIT), SECAD and Ballyhoura Development CLG have
joined forces to assist businesses to cut food waste costs.
Savour Food supports food processors, food retailers and those in the
food service industry based in East Cork, Clonakilty and Ballyhoura
regions.
The pilot programme is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and
the Marine from the Department’s Rural Innovation and Development Fund
and available to businesses free of charge.
https://savourfood.ie
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