Stop Food Waste Day Q&A: Jack Hodgkiss

1. What motivated your personal interest in sustainability and food waste reduction?

Food waste’s negative impact on the environment and weekly food bills is really easy to see. Because of both of these things, you can talk about it as an issue to people who wouldn’t necessarily care about sustainability. There are also some really clear tips and tricks that can help many households cut their food waste. It’s an issue nearly everybody can do more on to tackle.   

2. Can you share a story about a food waste hero who inspired you?

It’s really difficult to pick just one food waste hero. One of my previous colleagues has since gone on to dedicate her life to combatting food waste. In her free time, she collects leftover edible food from cafés, restaurants, and bakeries. She then redistributes it to people who need it, ensuring good food never goes to waste. Seeing how much effort she puts into saving food from waste is incredibly inspiring and puts into perspective the little things we should all really be doing.

3. What change have you made personally to be more mindful?

I tend to be more creative in my cooking to try and use up odds and ends in various meals. Random pieces of veg can help bulk out a variety of dishes and ensure nothing goes to waste. Half a carrot grated into a spag bol, those last two mushrooms in with tomorrow’s lunch – it all tastes great and ensures even the little bits don’t get wasted.

4. What will it take for UK to make food waste a priority?

The thing about food waste is that it costs consumers a little bit over a long period of time. There’s never really a moment an individual will stop and think about how much money they throw away as food. Getting this message across repeatedly and making consumers realise how this issue eats away at their wallets would help it become a priority.