LOVE FOOD HATE WASTE ROADSHOW HITS CREWE!

Hundreds gathered in Crewe on Friday (March 5) for the Love Food Hate Waste Roadshow.

Organised by Cheshire East Council, the event in Market Square looked at how food, which would normally be wasted, could be transformed into tasty meals for all the family.

From 10am until 4pm, shoppers were treated to a spectacular culinary display by celebrity chef, Richard Fox.

Crewe Alexandra FC footballers Daniel O’Donnell and Steven Schumacher demonstrated their cooking skills in a live ‘cook-off’ with Richard in front of hundreds of shoppers.

Richard Fox also held a 'Food Surgery’ where local residents could ask his advice on making more of their leftovers.

Councillor Rod Menlove, Cabinet member with responsibility for Environmental Services said:

“The roadshows demonstrate just how easy it is to cut food waste, simply by planning meals better, storing food more efficiently and being a little more creative with leftovers.”

We throw away 8.3 million tonnes of food and drink in the UK every year. The average UK family could make a saving of £50 a month by cutting down on food waste.

“Reducing the amount of food that we waste and therefore send to landfill will also have a positive environmental impact.”

For further information or for tips on how to enjoy food and reduce food waste please visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/cheshire.

Handy tips for reducing food waste:

· Cook a large meal and then divide into portions to freeze for another day, great for days when you will be busy or home late.

· Check what's at the back of your fridge and cupboards before shopping and keep an eye on 'Use by' and 'Best before' dates.

· Buy your fruit and vegetables loose so you can buy exactly how much you need. This will also reduce packaging.

· Invest in storage containers and bag clips for resealing bags. After opening packets of dried foods such as cereals, rice, flour and pasta, reseal them tightly or transfer them into storage boxes or jars.

· Take time to plan your meals for the week ahead. You'll find it much easier when you are food shopping if you have your meals in mind.

· Packs of meat and fish can be separated into smaller pieces for the freezer so you can take out the right amount you need.

· Some food waste in inevitable, but items like peelings, egg shells and tea bags can be composted to create valuable home compost for your garden.