On Saturday 30 September, Gurdwara Siri Guru Nanak Darbar (SGND) in Officer volunteers hosted an event to promote awareness about food waste reduction and the creative use of leftovers.
The session was organised for children of all ages who engaged in an insightful discussion on how to reduce food waste followed by putting the theory in practice by participating in cooking various items.
Victorians throw away 250,000 tonnes of food annually, costing households an average of $2,600 each year.
Co-organiser Dr Harpreet Singh Kandra, a respected community leader, volunteer, and Ambassador for Sustainability Victoria’s Small Acts, Big Impact Campaign , is motivated to empower families to minimise food waste by making better use of their leftovers.
Drawing inspiration from Sustainability Victoria’s I Love Leftovers Challenge , SGND in its own leftovers group initiative – a month-long education and knowledge sharing program.
The initiative culminated in an in-person community discussion attended by about 60 people last Saturday 30 September, with participants sharing insight into challenges and tips on reducing food waste in the home.
To round out the event, participants put their great ideas into practice – leading event attendees in a cooking demonstration that creatively repurposed daal (lintels) catering, from the days prior, into dough for rotis. Participants also made roti wraps and sandwiches using leftover veggies and salad using leftover beans.
Continuing the cause, participants are now shifting their attention to broader community awareness with a consolidation of tips, in the form of a digital poster, currently underway.
Afterward, participants also engaged in a session of tree planting, where 400 new were planted at SGND’s grounds.
