5 creative companies that are tackling food waste
We know that you know that, as a nation, we waste a lot of food. And we mean, a LOT of food.
To reel off a few figures, did you know that one third of ALL food (globally) is wasted? And that over 10 million tonnes of food in the UK goes straight into the compost heap every year? Yes, 44% of bread in the UK ends up in the bin and, well, it seems like a really big waste – wouldn’t you agree?
We desperately need to address the issue of food waste and that’s exactly what these brilliant businesses are doing. They’re taking surplus food and turning it into something innovative, sustainable and, fundamentally, delicious. Check them out, give them some support and let us know if there are any more companies that are doing something good, we’d love to hear about them.
Ellie Donnell
1.Oddbox
What is it? It’s the new wonky fruit and veg box on the block. Oddbox deliver less-than-perfect surplus produce to your door that would otherwise get chucked in the bin. And they work directly with local farmers and growers so that EVERYONE gets a fair price for their fruit and veggies. That doesn’t sound so odd to us.
The downside is that they only deliver in London at the moment but here’s hoping that soon changes.
This company is changing the world one condiment at a time. Rubies in the Rubble produce relishes, ketchups and mayos made from sustainably-sourced surplus ingredients.
They do wacky creations such as banana ketchup and aquafaba mayo. Their classic tomato ketchup would give Heinz a run for their money; it crams in three times the fruit of regular supermarket varieties yet contains just half the sugar. It’s a win-win situation and we love it.
3. ChicP
These guys are re-creating the nation’s favourite dip. ChicP are turning surplus vegetables into great-tasting, colourful pots of houmous. We recommend the beetroot and horseradish flavour if you like a dip with a kick.
4. Toast Ale
Toast Ale have taken one of the top most-wasted ingredients, bread, and turned it into an award-winning beer. And it gets better. They donate 100% of their profits to charity, are a certified B Corp organisation and are on a mission to launch their own rev-ale-ution. Fancy a pint? We’re suddenly feeling parched.
5. Dash Water
Dash are using the nation’s food waste in a slightly more unusual way – in their very own wonky fruit and veg-infused sparkling water. It may sound odd but it’s a pretty neat idea. They don’t contain any sugar, sweeteners or calories, making them a virtuous fizzy drink swap and their cans are recyclable too. Dash it, that does sound good.
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