Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Cost-of-living crisis encourages consumers to reduce food waste

Cost-of-living crisis encourages consumers to reduce food waste

Navigating food waste is high on the agenda, not just for retailers and wholesalers, but also with shoppers, as Brits admit they generate so much food waste – because their eyes are bigger than their bellies, ingredients go out of date and confusion over portion sizes.

A study of 2,000 adults revealed making more than is required, a lack of time to accurately measure out ingredients and not planning ahead were among the top reasons for not knowing how much food to prepare for dinner.


But more than a quarter (26 per cent) admitted they generate a "lot" of food waste, with 37 per cent holding the opinion that it’s better to serve up more food than is needed rather than less. And 23 per cent typically cook portions which are simply too big.

“We’ve all been guilty of cooking too much, or not finishing a plateful and the research shows many reasons why we unintentionally create food waste," said a spokesperson for long-life bakery brand, Baker Street, which commissioned the research ahead of Food Waste Action Week.

“Whether it’s missing the ‘best before dates’, confusion over ingredients, simply guessing, or thinking you’re cooking for a group before people start dropping out of dinnertime, it’s easily done.

“With the cost-of-living crisis impacting us all and a greater awareness of the impact of food waste on climate change, it’s more important than ever to watch what we’re buying, serving up and putting in the bin.”

The research also found people feel annoyed (31 per cent), frustrated (20 per cent) and ashamed (15 per cent) when they generate food waste.

Similarly, 47 per cent know it’s an important issue for the world and 46 per cent don’t like wasting expensive food or ingredients in particular.

More than a third (34 per cent) think more needs to be done to raise awareness of food waste and one in 10 would like to reduce the amount they personally create, yet don’t know how. But 29 per cent said the cost-of-living crisis has made them more aware of the ingredients and meals they personally waste.

The top meals Brits struggle with most when judging portion sizes were spaghetti Bolognese (20 per cent) and pasta in general (19 per cent), followed by a roast dinner (15 per cent) and stew (13 per cent), while 52 per cent admitted they are not aware of the correct portions recommended for various dishes.

It also emerged that during the typical week, households generate food waste on an average of three days.

In a bid to reduce it, 27 per cent have tested out measuring tools such as a spaghetti measurer, and 23 per cent have used plates as a guide.

Baker Street’s spokesperson added: “Bread is one of the most wasted food items, with more than a quarter (26 per cent) of throwing it away regularly.

“Our products are cleverly packed to last longer and this year, we are supporting Food Waste Action Week with top tips, leftover recipe inspiration and savings ideas to help the one in 10 who admit they would like to reduce their food waste, but don’t know how.”

Among the ingredients people waste at least once a month are bags of salad (28 per cent), bread (26 per cent) and potatoes (21 per cent).

But those polled, go to greater lengths to avoid wasting meat (33 per cent), fish (25 per cent) and vegetables (24 per cent).

Instead of throwing it away, 24 per cent have re-used food in a way which doesn’t involve eating it, including as a plant fertiliser (18 per cent) and a face scrub (eight per cent).

However, more than a third of Brits (35 per cent) admit to disposing of their food waste in a regular rubbish bin.

The research was commissioned by OnePoll and carried out as part of Baker Street’s ‘Food Waste’ campaign, which is being supported by informative graphics, including a food waste map, social media, digital and consumer-facing PR activity.

More for you

Bacup Wine and Convenience shop, 34 Burnley Road, Bacup.

Bacup Wine and Convenience shop, 34 Burnley Road, Bacup.

Robbie MacDonald via LDRS

Shop’s licence bid rejected over illegal vapes and ‘no regard’ for children’s safety

A Rossendale shop has had a licence bid rejected after repeatedly selling vapes to children and having illegal products on its premises.

Management at the Ibra Superstore at 34 Burnley Road, Bacup, have shown ‘no regard’ for children’s protection and safety, and have insufficient controls for licensing, Rossendale councillors have ruled.

Keep ReadingShow less
SPAR retailer hits target to secure £100,000 free stock from James Hall

SPAR retailer hits target to secure £100,000 free stock from James Hall

SPAR North of England retailer Dara Singh Randhawa’s family store has been awarded £100,000 of free stock after hitting all his targets since moving to the symbol.

Dara and his family, who have their SPAR store in Patrington in the East Riding of Yorkshire, joined SPAR through its association with James Hall & Co. Ltd in August 2023 having taken the decision to maximise the store’s potential.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pound Sterling bank notes
iStock

National Living Wage to increase to £12.21 in April 2025

The government has on Wednesday announced its acceptance of the Low Pay Commission’s (LPC) recommendations on the rates of the National Minimum Wage (NMW), including the National Living Wage (NLW).

The rates which will apply from 1 April 2025 are as follows:

Keep ReadingShow less
Michael Fletcher

Michael Fletcher

Former Nisa chief Michael Fletcher appointed SPAR UK managing director

SPAR UK has announced the appointment of Michael Fletcher as its new managing director.

Fletcher spent 22 years at Tesco plc, where he held numerous senior commercial roles in the UK, Ireland and Asia. He joined Co-op Retail in 2013 where he held the position of chief commercial officer before moving on to become CEO of Nisa Wholesale, a role he held until 2022.

Keep ReadingShow less
Food inflation eases as retailers treat customers to spooky season deals

iStock image

Food inflation eases as retailers treat customers to spooky season deals

October saw shop prices fall marginally further into deflation for the third consecutive month with food inflation eased, particularly for meat, fish and tea along with chocolate and sweets as retailers treated customers to spooky season deals, shows industry data released today (29).

According to British Retail Consortium (BRC), shop price deflation was at 0.8 per cent in October, down from deflation of 0.6 per cent in the previous month. This is below the 3-month average rate of -0.6 per cent. Shop price annual growth was at its lowest rate since August 2021.

Keep ReadingShow less