info@voiceireland.org (00353) 01642 5741 http://voiceireland.org/ @VOICE_Ireland /voiceireland.org

FOOD RESCUE is a community-driven food waste public awareness event.

Food waste has become a global problem in which food is lost throughout the food cycle. In Europe, there are 89 million tonnes of food waste and in Ireland, we produce one million tonnes, throwing away around 1/3 of all food purchased each year. The EU Parliament has recognised this issue will have grave consequences if not addressed quickly and declared 2014 as the year against food waste!

There is no quick fix to this issue but it’s up to the local communities and champions to lead the way in helping to change the household mind-set in relation to food, adopting new waste reduction techniques and involving local community in a common challenge to reduce food waste and save money!

We propose to empower local communities to hold ‘Food Rescue’ dinners with food that would have been thrown away or rejected by supermarkets, businesses and restaurants. With our support we encourage you to bring your community together, while educating and raising consciousness on the issue of food waste.

This information pack has tips and ideas to get your local community event up and running. Remember planning is key to success!

Set up a committee

• Food recipe exchange • Cooking demonstrations • Jam/Chutney making • Promotion of local group food purchase schemes • Ugly veg competition • Apple/fruit juice pressing • Composting demonstration • School projects

• This event could also link in with existing local festivals

Potential Partners and Further Actions• Ask local shops and/or farmers to donate surplus food• Promote the stocking of ‘ugly’ foods in shops• Encourage restaurants to provide doggie bags to take left-over

food home• Work with local businesses to take a ‘Reduce Food Waste Pledge’• Schools can get involved in art projects, creating signs promoting

the event and participate in food waste reduction and composting projects.

• Hold a meeting asking members of your community to get involved• Delegate – individuals, schools and businesses• Decide on the challenge – date, location and activities of event and fundraising target• Be creative and think outside the box. Such activities could include:

Promote the event• Use local online networks to promote your event – Facebook, Twitter, school, club and businesses websites, local newspapers and newsletters, local radio• Put up posters and leave leaflets in schools, community centres, and local businesses – you’ll find posters and leaflets at the back of this pack for photocopying, or encourage local schools or community groups to make their own• Partner up with local clubs and community groups. It might help to mention to them that communities all over Ireland will be hosting similar events• Let us know about your event and we can help spread the word

Important to remember• Clean up - plan ahead and have well labeled bins ready (compost

and recycling) • Insurance - most community organisations and residents associations already have insurance. • See if they can get involved!• Health and Safety – keep it veggie and keep it clean!

groups receive extra points for sustainable waste management events

Food• Enlist the services of a catering chef or local cooks to make a simple meal (such as vegetable curry) out of still edible food that would have been rejected such as ‘ugly’ or short-dated food • You can source this food from: • Local supermarkets, shops, restaurants and cafes • Local allotments and farmers markets• The uglier the food the better!

Financing• Food should be donated• To reduce on costs and waste, people are asked to bring their own

crockery, cutlery and cups• This is a fundraising mechanism for VOICE, so we ask each event

organiser to charge a small amount for the meal/event, say around €5 per person, which will support VOICE’s campaign and mission to reduce food waste.

And don’t forget to check out the VOICE blog, Facebook, Twitter and Youtube Channel for more tips and inspiration for organising your event, and seeing how the rest of the involved nationwide communities are doing!

Mixed Vegetable Curry http://ni.lovefoodhatewaste.com/recipes/mixed-vegetable-curry

Bread and Butter Pudding http://ni.lovefoodhatewaste.com/node/1622

Banana Muffins http://ni.lovefoodhatewaste.com/recipes/banana-and-honey-muffins

Courgette Cake http://ni.lovefoodhatewaste.com/recipes/courgette-cake

Vegetable Chili http://ni.lovefoodhatewaste.com/recipes/quick-vegetable-chilli

Potato Casserole http://ni.lovefoodhatewaste.com/recipes/potato-casserole

Stuffed Tomatoes http://ni.lovefoodhatewaste.com/recipes/rice-and-vegetable-stuffed-tomatoes

Potato Soup http://ni.lovefoodhatewaste.com/recipes/hearty-potato-soup

Roast Dinner Soup http://ni.lovefoodhatewaste.com/recipes/roast-dinner-soup

Turkey and Vegetable Soup http://ni.lovefoodhatewaste.com/recipes/turkey-and-vegetable-soup

Broccoli Stalk Soup http://ni.lovefoodhatewaste.com/recipes/broccoli-stalk-soup

Possible recipes

Get your local schools and community groups involved in making decorations for your event

DIY buntingYou will need:

• Recycled Paper Napkins in your chosen pattern• Scissors• Glue• Twine/Ribbon

1) Fold your napkin in half so a crease is visible.2) Position your napkin so that the folded edge is closest to you. Then fold a crease from the top of the centre crease to the bottom on the same side.3) Repeat for the other side.4) Then cut along the two diagonal creases to make a triangle.5) You will have two diamond shapes (because the napkin comes folded on itself). Repeat these steps until you have the desired amount of flags for your bunting.6) Next, take the twine and tie a knot in one end.7) Lay the flags out leaving about two inches apart, and lay the twine on the fold. Cut the twine at the other end and knot (it’s best to leave a bit of wiggle room).8) Apply the glue to the portion of the twine that goes below the flag. Don’t put the glue directly onto the napkin as it can tear it.9) Fold it back over and press.10) Repeat for every flag.

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Thank you very much for holding your own Food Rescue event!! After paying your own costs, please forward funds raised either by cheque or through a bank transfer to:

VOICE 9, Upper Mount Street Dublin 2

Bank Details:

Bank of Ireland Account No: 82377812 Sorting Code: 90-14-90