Countdown's week-long food waste challenge kicks off soon, encouraging kiwis to tackle one of the world's most pressing social and environmental issues.
The Zero Food Waste Challenge runs the week starting September 19. It is a free challenge but participants are encouraged to donate if they can. Registrations are open on the Challenge's website. Once signed up, participants will receive advice, tips and guidance for saving food waste and will be introduced to local food rescue organisations.
Eighty-six per cent of Kiwis believe that wasting food is wrong, but with so much information around it's hard to know where to start. The Challenge is all about supporting Kiwis to do what they can to reduce their food waste, and partnering with Countdown has given us the boost we need to make it happen. New Zealand doesn't need a few people doing everything perfectly, we need everyone to do what they can – a million people making a small change would make a fantastic difference for our planet," said Veronica Shale, Challenge Founder.
Zero food waste in landfills is one of Countdown's most critical sustainability goals. The company already donates $5.2 million worth of food to food banks and food rescues yearly, with an additional $1.7 million going to farmers as food scraps.
"We want to support our customers to make the most of their kai once they get it home and taking part in the Zero Waste Food Challenge will support them every step of the way with tips for storage, shopping advice and tasty recipes to use up odds and ends," said Kiri Hannifin, Countdown's Director of Corporate Affairs, Safety & Sustainability.
"Right across our business, our team are focused on meeting our zero food waste to landfill goal. Our store teams are not only working to put good food aside for donation each day, but also undertaking other food rescue initiatives like turning yesterday's baguettes into garlic bread, overripe bananas into banana bread and unsold cooked chickens into sandwich fillings."
"We're looking forward to the Zero Food Waste Challenge, and we'd love to see our customers and other food businesses jump on board as well - food waste is something we all have to solve together."
