The Shoalhaven has declared war on waste after a new food rescue and donation program was served up to the community.
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The food waste reduction program was launched at the Shoalhaven Environment Expo on May 5.
Alex McNeilly from All Sustainable Futures, a not-for-profit organisation, launched the initiative.
"Across Australia more than five million tonnes, or 9000 olympic size swimming pools, of good food ends up in our environment and in our landfill," Mr McNeilly said.
"The question we need to ask ourselves is how do we in the Shoalhaven work together across all agencies, charities, schools and community kitchen groups to rescue and re-direct more good food from farmers, suppliers and retail super markets to where it is most needed."
Craig Reucassel from the ABC television series War on Waste joined the fight.
"If you took food waste out of our rubbish bins, as well as any content that could be recycled, there would not be much left, farmers are sending bananas that are the wrong shape, either too straight or too curved, into landfill. It's a really backwards approach and something we need to change," Mr Reucassel said.
"We had over 70 people register to help and get involved in the program at the environment expo, a farmer in Berry donated 100 pumpkins and another offered us bags of fresh citrus fruits from Manyana. So many great people want to help," Mr McNeilly said.
"More than 1200 people visited our mobile rescued food kitchen stall and sampled the delicious recipes and food all made from rescued food, guests couldn't believe the quality and amount of good food being dumped.
"Thanks to support of the NSW Environment Protection Authority, we are collecting contact details from people, groups and organisations already working in the community food, community garden and other groups plus new volunteers and community kitchen groups interested in helping us to re-direct good food to where it is most needed across the Shoalhaven."
Visit www.allsustainablefutures.org.au for more information.