Forum and Feast an enlightening day of discussion about food waste

 

Last Saturday, This is Rubbish in collaboration with the Centre for Alternative Technology held Forum and Feast, a day of talks and workshops exploring the issue of food waste. With 8.3 million tonnes of largely avoidable food waste generated on an annual basis, it’s a highly pertinent issue.

The day began with an enlightening panel discussion, chaired by Jill Evans, MEP and featuring Dr Andy Rees (Head of Waste Strategy at the Welsh Government), Dr Adrian Morley (Research Associate at Business Relationship, Accountability, Sustainability and Society), Emma Marsh (Love Food Hate Waste) and Professor Martin Caraher (City University).

The panellists discussed why we waste food on the scale that we do, and what possible options for reducing the impact may be. There was general agreement from the panel about what the drivers of food waste are, thought to be the consumer model used for the food industry which masks the true cost of what we buy; the monetary value put on food fails to represent its real value.

The panel during the first session of the forum

Amongst some of the startling facts mentioned by the panel was the revelation that, since WWII, food waste has increased from 2% to 25%.

The panelists also emphasised how a loss of basic cooking skills, as well as a tangible connection to the origin of food, has created a wasteful food culture.

On the matter of solving the issue, the panellists had less consensus, with some in support of voluntary waste reduction targets, and some doubtful of their efficacy, preferring mandatory targets enshrined in law. The role of the consumer was also debated: Emma Marsh saw consumer behaviour change as integral to forming a solution, though acknowledged its complexity as a ‘hidden’ nature (not generating food waste is less visible than other environmentally conscious behaviours such as recycling). Martin Caraher, however, was suspicious of “blaming the consumer for the faults of the system.”

Interesting and stimulating talks were presented by Paul Allen (from CAT, on Zero Carbon Britain and the food supply chain and available to listen to here) and Caitlin Shepherd (from This is Rubbish on highlights from the Feast tour and plans for the future).

The afternoon saw participants engage with the issue in two different workshops. CAT’s Cara Whelan facilitated a workshop on food waste reduction initiatives serving businesses and communities, while playwright Sarah Wood facilitated a workshop on the role of market leaders in preventing food waste.

Later, after a screening of DIVE by Jeremy Seifert, participants were treated to a theatrical three-course food waste feast. Serenaded at the table by Folking Rubbish and Bard, diners enjoyed caramelised onion soup with sourdough, vegetable stacks with aubergine, pepper, cheese, basil pesto, potato gratis and cucumber salad, and a damson and apple crumble with yoghurt.