Kempsey Shire Council, as a member of the MIDWASTE forum, has become a 'Love Food Community' as part of a NSW Government grant to deliver a two-year program to reduce food waste in homes and businesses. MIDWASTE is one of four grant recipients, as part of the NSW Government's Love Food Hate Waste program.

NSW households and businesses throw almost a million tonnes of food waste to landfill annually, costing households more than $10 billion worth of edible food each year. For the average household in the Kempsey Shire that's $73 a week, or $3805 each year. Council's Waste Coordinator, Gavin Hughes, said 'Love Food Mid North Coast' will help families keep money in their pockets, support local businesses to increase profits and deliver considerable benefits to the environment.

"One in every five shopping bags full of food ends up in the bin and businesses throw away around 30 per cent of their food. A significant amount of resources, such as water and energy go into producing our food and these resources are also lost when food is thrown away," he said. "We can all be part of the solution by making simple changes at home and work to reduce food waste."

The project will use the 'Food Smart' program for families and 'Your Business is Food' program for business to help them save money by reducing their food waste.

Families who sign up for Food Smart can pick up a free Food Smart Kit from Council's Customer Service Centre. The kits include three food clips, a shopping list pad and handy tips and ideas on how to help make the most of food that you buy.

Businesses will receive support to conduct a food waste review and cut food waste generated through purchasing, preparation and plate waste.

To register for the free 'Food Smart' and 'Your Business is Food' programs, visit www.midwaste.org.au. For more about Love Food Hate Waste visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.nsw.gov.au