Love Food Hate Waste

Thanks to the Queensland and Australian governments recently partnering with Thankful for Farmers a new free app has been developed to help all Australians reduce food waste called 'Saveful'.

What can the Saveful App be used for?

Saving food (and money) by diverting it from the waste bin and making your tastebuds (and wallet) sing.  Search for savings or use up what you’ve got. Remix food leftovers into brand-new creations. Get storage tips to help make your food last longer.

Available (free) on IOS & Android devices visit the Saveful App webpage for more details on how to use this app to reduce food waste today.

Further tips for reducing food waste at home:

A few simple changes at home can help us all fight food waste.

Planning meals - Save your time and money

• Plan meals each week by downloading this QLD Government meal planner
• Make a weekly routine out of using leftovers for a new meal

Using leftovers for delicious recipes - Don't let great taste go to waste

• Cook a meal each week that makes the most of foods that need to be used
• Freeze excess food
• Preserve unused vegetables
• Bananas, cooked rice, beef and bread slices and rolls are just some of the commonly wasted items in Australian households
• Cooked rice can be added to fried rice
• Bananas can be turned into banana bread
• Stale bread can be used for pasta bake or chicken curry
• Search online resources for new recipes

The Queensland Government have launched free online resources for Schools to introduce food waste education for students and their families. See some of the resources below (or visit Queensland Government Reduce food waste home page for further information).

Printable Love Food Hate Waste lessons:

• Year 1 Lesson Plan: How to save food
• Year 2  Lesson Plan: Cupboard, fridge or freezer which is best?
• Year 3  Lesson Plan: What is food waste and why does it happen?
• Year 4 Lesson Plan: What a waste! How much does food waste cost?
• Year 5 Lesson Plan:  What a waste! But what exactly are we wasting?
• Year 6 Lesson Plan: How can I prevent food waste and be a food boss?
• Year 7 Lesson Plan: How does food waste harm the environment and what can we do to prevent it?
• Year 8 Be a waste warrior! take the pledge to reduce food waste

Organics grant funding opportunities:

The Qld Government funded Organic Waste Smart School Program is providing up to $2500 to offset the purchase of equipment that supports organic waste reduction strategies within schools.

View more information about the program including school eligibility, equipment costs or to download an application form.

For further waste education support visit Council's waste education page.

The Queensland Government has introduced new resources to help all Queensland businesses consider how they can reduce food waste in the workplace.

• View the reduce food waste at your business page
• Download the seven day audit tool form
• Download free bin labels

Further resources:

• CCIQ ecoBiz Queensland - Free program for small to medium businesses that provides personalised no or low-cost recommendations to help business save on their energy, waste and waste bills
• Stop food waste Australia - organisations that participate on the Australian Food Pact
• A-Z food storage recommendations
• Guides for Fridge temperature settings

Find out how you can be involved with helping those in need in the Cairns community while reducing food waste

• Food Bank Australia -  Australia's largest food relief organisation, providing more than 70% of the food rescued for food relief organisations nationwide.
• OzHarvest - rescues surplus food from being sent to landfill, delivering to charities that help provide food for those in need.
• Community Gardens - Opportunities for learning new skills, around growing fruits and vegetables as well as composting your food waste - Reduce food waste.