Swindon Borough Council has teamed up with local authorities throughout the south-west to create a month-long campaign designed to help everyone think differently about food, and win some outstanding prizes.

The new campaign will be launched on 12 October with 35 local authorities pooling expertise and resources to get the 'Love Food Hate Waste' message out to residents.

As part of the campaign, Swindon Borough Council is running a roadshow throughout October where there will be an opportunity for residents to gain hints and tips on how to reduce waste in general, monitor their own food waste, and pick up a food waste diary.

Roadshow Events

• West Swindon Centre
  Tuesday 13 October, 10.00am-4.00pm
• Town centre
  Thursday 15 October, 1.30pm-4.00pm
• Co-Op, Old Town
  Wednesday 21 October, 1.30pm-4.00pm
• Town centre
  Thursday 22 October, 1.30-4.00pm
• Oasis Leisure Centre
  Monday 26 October, 12.00pm-4.00pm
• Highworth Rec
  Thursday 29 October, 12.00pm-4.00pm

Why We Need to Waste Less Food

Families in Swindon throw away up to £50 worth of good food every month on average. This equals £600 a year, which could be put to better use, or is food that could have been eaten.

A massive 40% of wasted food is made up of fresh fruit and vegetables.

By making simple changes to how we shop, cook and plan meals, every household could waste less and save more.

Reducing food waste could cut carbon dioxide emissions by 18 million tonnes per year, the same as taking one in five cars off the road.

Swindon Borough Council Deputy Leader Cllr Fionuala Foley, said: "It is interesting and useful campaigns like this that make us think twice about the huge amount of food waste we are producing, which is contributing to environmental factors affecting our planet. It would be great if residents could show their support by making a pledge at one of our roadshows or online, whilst also picking up some cost effective hints and tips to help change their shopping and eating habits."

Love Food Hate Waste Website

The Love Food Hate Waste (South-west) website (www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/southwest) is full of tips and advice on:

• Portion size
• Food storage
• Use-by dates
• Delicious recipes

The website also provides an opportunity to make a pledge to reduce food waste, and in the process enter a competition to win some mouth-watering prizes. (You can also make your pledge at any of the above events.)

Pledge Competition Prizes

• A gourmet weekend for four at either Elmfield Hotel in Ilfracombe, Devon or Pedn-Olva Hotel in St Ives, Cornwall
• A cookery lesson for two with LaCuizine in Bristol
• Dinner for two at Summer Lodge Hotel in Evershot, Dorset