Seahaven Business Awards finalists named Newhaven’s food waste prevention program as a finalist
Havens Food Cooperative, which is a Havens Community Hub project, has been nominated for the environment category.
The Hub has distributed free of charge over 108 tonnes worth of perishable food to the local community. The Hub prioritized people who might need help and provided free food to over 14 partners, including youth clubs, environmental alliances and schools.
Havens Food Cooperative formed a team of volunteers to visit supermarkets nightly during the pandemic lockdown. They would collect food that had just reached its “best-before” date and would be sent to landfill. This created more CO2 gas and wasted perfectly edible perishable goods.
These items were not able to be donated to traditional food banks because they had a limited shelf life. Most local food banks are only open one day per month. The food collected must be distributed within 24 hours.
The project began with three local stores. It grew to include the final supermarket in December 2021, which helped to reduce food waste.
Every supermarket in the Havens Area, Saltdean to Seaford, along the coast stretch, is now a contributor to the scheme. Havens Food Cooperative believes this has prevented more than 1 tonne of food being wasted each week.
The project is currently starting a “slow cooker” set of lessons. These appliances can save you up to 80% on electricity costs, compared to traditional oven and hob prices. Families that do not have slow cookers may apply to the Food Cooperative for a free one.
Havens Food Cooperative: Learn moreClick here