In this age of inflation, let’s value our food more and waste less

Whether you’re a consumer feeling short-changed at the supermarket or a business at the tail end of supply chain disruptions, it’s almost impossible to not notice inflation’s tightening squeeze on living costs.

According to the Office for National Statistics, inflation is currently surging at a 30-year high. With the food industry still in recovery from the turbulence of the pandemic, labour shortages caused by Brexit, and myriad climate events causing disruption and damage to crop yields, it’s not surprising this plethora of setbacks have resulted in a rise in food prices.

And while the blow of inflation is often cushioned by a matched rise in wages, the cost of living is currently outpacing the average growth in income, making it an uphill struggle for many.

The Food Foundation found the poorest 10% of UK households would need to spend 74% of their disposable income on food to meet the government Eatwell Guide costs, compared with 6% in the richest 10% of the UK. As we see out this wave of uncertainty, higher prices and scarcity, is reducing our food waste becoming even more critical in order to reduce costs and support supply chain pressures?

As well as being a large contributor to our greenhouse gas emissions, food waste sets us back financially too, with household food waste alone costing us £14bn a year in the UK. And with both consumers and businesses set to pay more for common commodities, reducing our food waste presents an opportunity to both save on expenses and mitigate our impact on the planet.

Given the current climate, it feels more critical than ever to take the steps to value food. From 7 to 14 March, Wrap is hosting Food Waste Action Week to encourage people to reflect on how we can collectively reduce our food waste. They have plenty of resources for businesses and individuals alike to take action.

Rubies in the Rubble was built to give people a tangible way to fight food waste at home. But on top of this, we’ve always tried to use our platform to amplify the message, as well as encourage people to value their food in the everyday.

This Food Waste Action Week, we urge you to join the conversation and get involved – there has never been a more crucial time to join the movement!