South Aussie chef Mandy Hall is back in the spotlight, on a mission that transcends the kitchen. Known for her dynamic presence on MasterChef Australia, Mandy is now leading a groundbreaking nationwide campaign with End Food Waste Australia (EFWA) to unite the nation in a pivotal effort to reduce food waste in our homes.
Approximately 2.5 million tonnes of food is discarded annually which is around 7.7 million meals going to waste every single day.
Now, as the Campaign Director of ‘The Great Unwaste’ campaign, Mandy is harnessing her expertise and infectious enthusiasm to inspire a cultural shift across the country.
Mandy says reducing these staggering stats is vital – especially as the cost of living pressures continue to hit Aussie households and producers.
“It’s not about blaming Australian households for a third of all food waste. We want to give Aussies the chance to pause, reflect and see what changes they can make – from a solutions perspective,” Mandy said.
Coinciding with the UN International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, this initiative is spearheaded by the national not-for-profit End Food Waste Australia (EFWA). The campaign seeks to inspire households across the country to implement simple-yet-effective changes that can significantly reduce food waste, ultimately saving money and promoting a sustainable future for Australia.
“While we waste millions of plates of food per year, there are so many Aussies that can not put food on the table,” Mandy said.
The campaign provides practical tips to help everyone – “no matter your walk of life” – reduce waste with guides, tips and tricks available online.
According to Mandy, the way that households waste food and can prevent that waste are astonishingly simple.
“You’d be surprised, we found there are consistent habits that Aussies do that wastes food,” Mandy added.
Food waste is also a major contributor to Australia’s green house gas emissions.
The launch follows a comprehensive study conducted by the End Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre, which began in 2021.
“You can’t impact what you don’t know,” says Mandy.
The pioneering research revealed that the average Australian household wastes more than twice as much food each week as they believe – 4.22 kg versus a perceived 2.03 kg!
One of the main questions of the campaign is “are you wasting more food than you think?” The answer… probably yes.
The study found that nearly half of Australians (46%) acknowledge they could do more to cut down on waste, while 45% are actively seeking better information and support to tackle the issue. Proving that we want to make a positive change but need the right tools and guidance – that’s where the nationwide ‘The Great Unwaste’ campaign comes in!
This first-of-its-kind initiative is a call to action for Australians to rethink their relationship with food for the benefit of both the planet and their wallets.
“The Great Unwaste is about providing Australians with relatable, practical ways to cut down on food waste in their busy lives,” says Mandy.
The goal is clear – cut food waste in Australia by over 20% by 2030 – ultimately aiming to halve it within the same timeframe.
Mandy says, “when we work together, we can change the narrative around food waste and lead the way towards a more sustainable future”.
“No one sets out to waste food, and we all want to improve,” she said.
Mandy calls the campaign a rally-cry in it’s starting stages.
“It’s just like how the iconic Australian Slip Slop Slap campaign had to start somewhere,” Mandy chuckled.
Mandy’s love of food and deep understanding of food producers and growers inspired her passion.
“It takes a lot to get food from the farm to the table, all the passion and love from producers and growers,” she said.
“Food brings us together. It’s the glue that binds family events, fundraisers, date nights, and dinners with friends. So why are we wasting so much of it?!”
Australia wastes 7.6 million tonnes of food a year – the equivalent of each person throwing away 24 burgers a week – and costs the Australian economy $36.6 billion a year, Fight Food Waste Limited Chief Executive Officer Dr Steven Lapidge explains.
The campaign will promote effective habits for reducing food waste, such as proper food storage, flexible meal planning, and creative use of leftovers. Making simple lifestyle changes, like shopping smart and planning ahead can also reduce how much food you waste, according to Mandy.
“We developed the campaign with enormous amounts of evidence and vigor but in a really fun and relatable Aussie way,” Mandy says.
The Great Unwaste also features inspiring stories from everyday Australians who have successfully reduced their food waste, showcasing how small changes can lead to significant results.
Like Mandy’s story; starting her culinary journey as a child, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of hotel kitchens in Adelaide where her mother worked. In 2019, she then took to the national stage on MasterChef Australia, using the platform to advocate for sustainable food practices and encourage viewers to think critically about their food choices.
The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Environment and Water, highlighted the importance of the campaign during its launch.
“Australian households throw out about 2.5 million tonnes of food a year, often without realising it. By making small changes at home, we can cut down our food waste, save money, and protect the planet,” she stated.
Backed by the Australian Government, this campaign will not just tackle food waste but foster a sense of shared responsibility.
Thanks to initial grant funding from the Australian Government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water, EFWA has collaborated with industry representatives and nonprofit organisations across the country to develop and launch this vital campaign.
With Mandy at the helm, together, we can reduce household food waste nationally and protect our environment, all while saving a bit of cash.
Reflecting on her personal efforts to reduce food waste, Mandy says “I can tell you first hand that your actions will absolutely make a difference!”
“Bite by bite we can create change.”
The Great Unwaste Campaign
For more information, check out the website.
The campaign will roll out across multiple platforms, including digital media, social media, and community engagement initiatives.
More News
