Rushmoor Residents asked to join the Love Food Challenge

• Technology helps tackle food waste in the home. 
• Are you a journalist who’d like to take part in the Love Food Challenge and discover your own food waste habits?  
• Please contact Rachel Avery, PR & Media Relations Specialist: Rachel.avery@WRAP.ngo / 07540513407

Rushmoor has been selected from all UK local authorities to take part in a special behavioural change pilot organised by global environmental action NGO WRAP, as part of its Love Food Hate Waste campaign, to use technology to tackle the economic and environmental costs of household food waste. 

The Rushmoor Love Food Challenge is a technology‑led initiative designed to help households cut food waste, save money, and do their bit for the environment. With 60% of the UK’s food waste coming from our homes and 78% of people believing they throw away less than average the challenge gives residents simple, practical tips to understand their habits and reduce waste.

From 11 February, 2,500 households across Aldershot and Farnborough will be invited to take part in a seven-day WhatsApp Love Food Challenge, with daily prompts and food saving tips.

The pilot is to raise awareness of food waste and to address the cost of food waste for residents, which for a household of four typically tops £86 in edible food each month, adding up to £1,000 a year.

After the pilot, the Love Food Hate Waste team will reach out several weeks later to see how people are getting on. Residents should look out for special information packs being delivered through letterboxes in target areas soon with details of how to participate, and fully funded by our business partners, the challenge includes daily prizes, worth £50, with bonus prizes worth £250!

Will Nicholson, Global Food Waste Programme Lead at WRAP said, “We know no one likes to see good food end up in the bin, but the evidence shows that we all waste a lot more that we think we do. We’re hoping to help Rushmoor residents by providing timely tips over social media to better manage the food they have and cut the amount they feed to the bin. The results could help us move towards a nationwide campaign – so we hope Rushmoor will be up for the challenge.”

Funded by Defra, Birds Eye, Ocado Retail, and Tesco, the challenge offers residents practical tools, tips, and inspiration to make mealtimes go further. It is also being supported by Rushmoor Borough Council and Hampshire County Council.

Councillor Christine Guinness, portfolio holder for Environmental Services said, “This is a great opportunity for Rushmoor residents looking to save some money as well as do their bit for the planet”.

Food waste is a major environmental issue globally, producing more greenhouse gas emissions than all global commercial flights. In the UK, 60% of food waste arises in our homes, with 78% of people believing they waste less than average. Cutting food waste helps protect the environment by reducing the carbon, water and energy used to produce, transport, and store our food.

Rushmoor residents are encouraged to look out for their pack and join the challenge to start saving money and reducing food waste by visiting lovefoodhatewaste.com/rushmoor.