Council’s tips to cut your festive food bill and stop waste

Wychavon District Council are looking to try and reduce food waste, a problem that increases around the holidays.

The average family bins around £60 of food each month and research shows that food makes up around a third of the contents of black bins of Wychavon residents.

Councillor Emma Stokes, executive board member for resident and customer services, said: “Minimising food waste during the festive season doesn't have to be a chore.

“With a pinch of planning and a spoonful of knowledge, Christmas can cost less and leave you plenty of time for festive TV and board games.”

As part of its #FoodSavvy campaign, Wychavon has shared five tips to cut down on waste and save money.

Planning properly could save you precious pounds (Image: Getty/Kostikova)

Five tips to save money and cut down food waste 

1. Write a list and check it twice

A shopping list and meal planner are the most powerful tools you have. That way you ensure you only buy what you need. Example meal planners can be downloaded from Wychavon’s #Foodsavvy web page.

2. Make friends with your freezer

Your freezer is your friend and will help you make sure you make the most of your leftovers and use every penny you spend to feed friends and family and not your bin.

Put leftovers into the fridge or freezer, in a sealed container, within two hours if you can. They will stay okay in the fridge for up to two days or put them in the freezer if you need more time.

3. Keep it seasonal

Buying seasonal vegetables is often cheaper and easier to find. We are blessed to live in an area with so many farm shops and outlets selling local produce. You don’t have to stick with just potatoes and parsnips. Try out colourful butternut squashes, versatile cauliflower, leeks, beetroot and kale instead.

4. Share the load

Christmas is the giving season, so why not make the most of your loved ones’ generosity? Ask family and friends to contribute to dinner and then offload some of the leftovers in return. If there’s still too much food to handle, why not share it with friends and neighbours? Share the neighbourly love, or try out food sharing apps.

5. Make Christmas the gift that keeps on giving

Turn leftovers and unused veg into an array of Christmas presents. To transform your old cabbage into a glorious gift, all you’ll need is a few spices, some salt and an empty jar to make a tasty/ trendy Kimchi. If fermenting isn't your thing, why not try preserving fruit, in a chutney or jam? You’ll never be in a present pickle again!