- Hon Nicola Grigg
Funding of $1.7 million for three projects to reduce food waste across the country has been announced today by Environment Minister Nicola Grigg.
"Reducing food waste is one of the most practical ways of reducing methane emissions, and supporting wider emissions reduction objectives," Ms Grigg says.
"Funding from the National Food Waste Reduction Programme will support three initiatives across the food supply chain over the next three years, reducing waste from households, food production, hospitality and other businesses."
"Of the 30 million tonnes of food that enters New Zealand's supply chain each year, an estimated 1.2 million tonnes is lost or wasted, and a third of that waste occurs in our homes. The Government is backing projects to address this significant and costly waste," Ms Grigg says.
The projects receiving funding are:
WasteMINZ will receive $800,000 over two years to extend its household food waste reduction work, building on the successful Love Food Hate Waste campaign through national multimedia campaigns and partnerships with councils.
The NZ Food Waste Champions 12.3 Trust will receive $750,000 over three years to continue a voluntary national agreement supporting food production and other businesses to measure, manage and reduce food waste across the supply chain.
The Restaurant Association of New Zealand will receive $150,000 to expand the Kai Keepers programme for one year, helping hospitality businesses reduce food waste, improve diversion of organic waste from landfill.
"These projects align with the Government's priorities to reduce the volume of organic waste reaching our landfills. They have demonstrated that they actively support businesses and households to measure and manage food waste, set targets, and put waste reduction plans in place.
"This investment will help the initiatives expand their impact and strengthen food waste reduction practices across New Zealand," Ms Grigg says.
