The Brighton & Hove Food Partnership has been working with 15 community-sector organisations to reduce their impact on the environment through food and food packaging as part of the Food Use Places project. Hearing from them and their customers/ members about what they already do or are working on, we have put some ideas of what you can do below.
Reducing food waste
Members of Hop 50+ café say that planning their meals for the week and writing a shopping list helps them reduce their food waste significantly by helping them resist the deals which supermarkets work so hard to lure you in to spending more.
If you find it difficult to resist supermarket deals, consider trying the following:
- Keep your receipt. Before you go shopping again, highlight all the things which you weren’t able to eat in time as a reminder of what was wasted – you may be surprised!
- Allow space on your list to have three extra treat items
- If you see a deal that’s just too good to resist, think about what it’s replacing in your basket and take that out, or put it back and if you are still thinking about it at the end of your shop, go back and get it.
At the Community Kitchen, we recommend ‘cook once, eat twice’ to save yourself time in the kitchen and have more time with friends and family – plus it means less washing up. Don’t think of them as leftovers, think of them as ingredients. For me that’s putting leftovers into creative combinations for sandwiches over the next few days – pigs in blankets, sprouts and bread sauce sandwich – yes please! If there’s still too much, this leftover turkey curry soup freezes really well too.
Reducing overbuying gifts
I think everyone has been on the receiving end of a gift at Christmas which they weren’t sure they needed and may have also given a gift too many when wanting to share joy. Ask people what they want or need and there are lots of apps which help organise Secret Santa’s with secret wish lists. Secret Santa exchanges can help reduce spending by focusing on one thoughtful gift for one person, rather than multiple smaller ones.
Remember Christmas is a time for connection. Give the gift of your time by sharing a coffee, trying a new restaurant, or lending a hand in the garden. You could also come to the Community Kitchen to learn to cook something new – gift vouchers are available online.
Second-hand treasures
We’re lucky in Brighton & Hove that we have such an eclectic offering of charity shops and flea markets full of pre-loved items which need a new home. Have a snoop around Snoopers Paradise or peruse the shops on George Street to find something truly unique.
Georgina, our Sussex Grazed/ Changing Chalk intern, has put together this year’s BHFP Christmas food and gift guide with some local food suppliers, fundraising events, gift suggestions including books, memberships and so much more.
Decorating sustainably
Create your own wreath from foraged items like pinecones and holy branches – remember to wear gloves and only cut what you need. Always check with the landowners before you take anything. 
Buy a potted tree or one made from recycled plastic to use year after year to reduce your carbon footprint annually.
Make your own decorations – you could dry some citrus fruits in a low oven and use some twine, hang up pinecones, cinnamon sticks or even make stars from twigs. Try sewing some from recycled clothes or even tinsel made from recycled clothes.
There are loads of great festive wrapping papers easily available in shops which are recyclable and even plastic free sellotape. Consider wrapping techniques which use less paper or reuse giftbags and boxes every year.
Remember to check our B&H City Council website if you’re unsure of what can or can’t be recycled in the council kerbside collections. Check the Brighton & Hove Council A-Z recycling list or visit the Green Centre A-Z for a list of where other items can be recycled.
The Food Use Places project aims to reduce food waste and promote sustainable food practices. It is also about celebrating the role that community food projects play in creating healthy, connected communities. If you want to find out more about their work and how to get involved in helping create a more sustainable future, find out more about the Food Use Places project.