According to Love Food Hate Waste NZ, over 12,901 tonnes of perfectly good-to-eat leftovers, including roast chicken, rice, and wilted green vegetables, end up in households' bins every year.
The organisation fighting food waste in Kiwi homes estimated that, on average, households in New Zealand spend around $1,500 per year on food bought but not eaten.
Helping Kiwis save money and food, Love Food Hate Waste NZ has launched a new Leftover Legends campaign aiming to inspire Kiwis to cook with their leftovers while debunking common food myths that often put people off eating day-old food.
“Throughout August, we’ll be releasing a raft of simple but versatile recipes to use up common leftovers such as meat, rice and vegetables,” said Juno Scott-Kelly, Love Food Hate Waste NZ spokesperson.
“If you hate throwing away money, becoming a leftover legend might be the answer. From frittata to air fryer snacks such as potato skin chips, there are many ways to turn languishing kai into something new and exciting for the whole family.”
With new Leftover Legends recipes released every Wednesday on Love Food Hate Waste NZ’s social media channels, the organisation hoped to inspire Kiwis to try something new in their kitchens.
In addition to releasing recipes, the organisation will debunk common myths about food safety and how to reheat leftovers.
“There is a common misconception that leftovers are harder to use up or unsafe to eat, and we hope that through education online, we can dispel some of these influences and get Kiwis loving their leftovers again.”
The Leftover Legends initiative kicks off today and will run through to the 31st of August 2024.
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