Ireland: Too Good To Go Research Reveals Summer Spike In Food Waste

New research conducted by One Poll on behalf of Too Good To Go found that Irish families waste an average of €21.16 worth of food after every barbecue or picnic.

The new research reveals that over half of Irish households (52%) identify summer as the peak season for food waste.

Some 51% of respondents claim that the main cause is overbuying fresh ingredients that go unused.

Nearly one third (32%) of people admitted throwing food away before leaving for a holiday, while 58% conceded that they dispose of at least a small amount.

Al-fresco dining is also ripe for waste, with 34% reporting that they throw away leftovers from barbecues or picnics, with salad toppings coming out as the most wasted items at 50%.

Some 61% of respondents said overestimating how much food they needed for a barbecue or picnic was the main reason for this waste.

With the summer holidays well underway, Too Good To Go is offering plenty of barbecue and picnic essentials in Surprise Bags through partners such a James Whelan Butchers, SuperValu, Aldi and FX Buckley.

On preventing waste, sales manager at Too Good To Go Ireland Machaela O’Leary said, “Summer is a time to enjoy great food and great company, but it’s also when many households unknowingly waste food and money.

“With an average of over €20 being thrown away after each barbecue or picnic, there’s a real need to plan smarter.

“Using tools like Too Good To Go to rescue surplus food can help families enjoy summer meals without the guilt.”