New research shows that Victorians chuck out food that equates to a cost of $5.4 billion every year.
The research, commissioned by Sustainability Victoria, has found young Victorians and parents with children are key contributors to the state’s food-waste dilemma.
Members of generation Z are more wasteful with their grocery shopping, throwing out a reported $115 of food waste weekly, compared with baby boomers, who reported just more of a tenth of that at $17 per week.
The findings form part of a new campaign, ‘Love Food Hate Waste, Love a List’, which encourages Victorians to write better shopping lists and reap the rewards, not only by reducing food waste but also by saving money on their weekly shop.
A new short documentary, hosted by comedian Cal Wilson (pictured) and filmed in the Melbourne suburb of Lysterfield, takes a humorous look at the serious issue of food waste among three Victorian families.
“I was genuinely shocked at how much food we all throw out,” Ms Wilson said. “A really great first step is making a shopping list and sticking to it.”
To find out more about the ‘Love Food Hate Waste, Love a List’ campaign, and to watch the documentary, go to www.lovefoodhatewaste.vic.gov.au/love-a-list.