Posted on: Friday 6 October 2023
Primary schools in Torfaen have reduced the amount of food waste they produce by an average of 20%, thanks to a new competition.
Thirteen schools took part in the competition organised by the Torfaen Catering Service to monitor and reduce food waste at lunchtimes.
The winners were pupils at Woodland Primary School, in Cwmbran, who reduced their food waste by 29% (27.71 Kg). They were commended for their detailed weighing, measuring and recording skills and for running an innovative campaign, including writing to the catering service to suggest menu changes.
Blenheim Road and Coed Eva Primary School were chosen runners up also because of their detailed monitoring and recording skills, as well as their creative way to celebrate pupils who finished their school dinners leaving no food waste. Photos were also shared showing pupils with clean plates and smiles.
Councillor Mandy Owen, Executive Member for the Environment, said: “I would like to thank all schools for getting involved.
“Learning about reducing food waste at such an early age is so important, and I was delighted to hear the results.
“A huge congratulations to our winners, we hope you all enjoy your cooking lessons and continue the great work.”
The idea for the competition came from the launch of a Torfaen Council Food waste collection service for primary schools last year.
The winners will get a full-day healthy cooking session for 16 pupils, and joint second place will get half a day cooking session thanks to the council’s Food4Growth team, who also funded the cost of the weighing scales provided to schools.
Torfaen School Catering Management team provided funding for the runners up additional prize due to the number of excellent entries. The Healthy Schools and Play Team also donated gifts.
Find out more about how the School Catering Team are working hard to meet the needs of today’s pupils without damaging opportunities for the future here.
Find out more about Primary school catering.
Read more about the competition.
Reducing food waste is one of the ways the council is working to address the climate change and nature emergency in the borough.