Australians are wasting a whopping $9.6 billion worth of food each year: RaboDirect

VICTORIANS have been branded the nation’s biggest food wasters, turfing $1200 worth of groceries away each year — and according to a new report, they’re also terrible at clothes shopping. Here’s why.

VICTORIANS have been branded the nation’s biggest food wasters, with an average household admitting to throwing out $1200 worth each year.

Those most likely to ditch food also tend to toss away money in other areas of life, such as buying clothes that they never wear or forgetting to switch off televisions and other appliances.

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Almost one in five Victorians squander at least one-fifth of their food buys each week, according to RaboDirect’s Financial Health Barometer Food and Farming Report.

The report says: “Those who waste the most food each week, also tend to buy clothes that are never worn, use a clothes dryer on a sunny day, leave appliances on when not in use, and drive instead of walking or using public transport.”

Across Australia, a whopping $9.6 billion worth of food is turfed annually, it estimates.

This was mainly because food went off before it was finished, too much was bought, or food was not as good as expected.

Better meal planning can help avoid food waste. Source: Thinkstock

According to the report, Baby Boomers discard the least food each week, while Gen Y’s are the most wasteful.

Many shoppers were fussy about food appearance. Just over half said they were willing to pay 25 per cent more for “perfect” looking fruit and veg.

On the flip side, almost half were concerned about the amount of produce that supermarkets reject due to flawed appearance.

Better planning, sticking to a shopping list, and fewer impulse buys could reduce waste.

Bede Cronin, head of RaboDirect, said: “Australians can make a few small changes to everyday habits, such as using leftovers for lunches and making sure you plan your meals before going shopping, which will help reduce waste”.

City residents confessed to throwing away 16 per cent of food bought each week, compared with 10 per cent for those living in the country.

This suggested “Aussies with a greater knowledge of farming and food production are more careful”.

Just over half (55 per cent) of those quizzed admitted they had bought clothes, shoes, and accessories that they never wear. Gen Y’s were the worst culprits.

The report is based on a survey of 2300 Australians aged 16 to 65.

HOW TO CUT FOOD WASTE

— USE a shopping list.

— CREATE fruit muffins, smoothies and vegetable soups from overripe fruit and leftover veggies.

— ROTATE items in the fridge, with older foods at the front to be consumed first.

— PLAN a meal at the end of the week to use up all remaining vegetables, such as a stir fry.

— GROW your own herbs, fruit and veggies and pick only what you need.

— SERVE out smaller portions. You can always have seconds.

— DON’T plan more than a week in advance to avoid wasting food due to impromptu dinner invitations or evening commitments.

— KEEP an “eat now” container in the fridge. When you notice an item starting to wilt or approach its use-by date, place it in the container as a reminder to use soon.

@KarenCollierHS