“7% of what’s grown in the UK never makes it to the plate”
A significant portion of harvested produce never enters the food supply. Much of this results from farmers overproducing, growing an extra, just in case demand is higher than expected. Additionally, the population have an expectation for how their food must look, rejecting any produce that isn’t aesthetically ‘perfect’. As a result, a staggering 3.3 million tonnes is wasted every year, and that’s before we factor in food wasted in other stages of the supply chain.
This is where Wasteknot have stepped in, a company dedicated to reducing food waste within the supply chain. They work to bridge the gap between farmers and producers with surplus food, and the organisations that can put it to good use. They work closely with caterers and restaurants, challenging chefs to come up with innovative ways to use up otherwise wasted produce. This could be wonky veg or unusual crops, such as cauliflower leaves or collard hearts. They also donate half of their rescued produce to charities, helping to alleviate food poverty.
Take a look at our Wasteknot recipes for some inspiration to reduce your food waste at home.
Sources
(1) https://www.wasteknot.org.uk/