A food waste pilot study was conducted in three Arvida communities earlier this year. The study revealed that when residents participated in meal preparation, planning, and service, there was a notable decrease in food waste.
The pilot assessed food and beverage waste from residents' plates, kitchen areas, and buffet spaces. Quantities of wasted items were meticulously recorded and then sorted into various categories. Subsequently, focus groups were organised, during which researchers engaged with Arvida teams and residents to discuss ideas for curbing food waste.
With government funding amounting to $230,000, the programme aimed at reducing food waste is set to expand across New Zealand's retirement and aged care sector. This three-year initiative, facilitated by the University of Otago's Food Waste Innovation, will encompass retirement villages and aged care providers nationwide. The programme aims to establish a baseline measurement of food waste production, from meal preparation to leftover plate scraps.
Jeremy Nicoll, the Chief Executive of Arvida, expressed satisfaction in witnessing the programme's expansion to encompass the broader retirement and aged care sector.
"A programme of this scale will aid us in comprehending the extent of food waste originating from our kitchens and finding effective strategies to mitigate it. As a responsible retirement provider, we established a goal to reduce overall waste by 20 percent per community, and initiatives like this align with our objectives," explained Nicol
"Collective efforts have the potential to drive meaningful change," he said.
According to government estimates, globally, one-third of produced food goes to waste, consuming vital resources such as energy and water. John Collyns, the Executive Director of the Retirement Villages Association, emphasised that a nationwide initiative underscores the sector's commitment to sustainability.
"Our residents and operators are dedicated to playing their part in environmental care. This endeavour will yield substantial benefits for the environment and showcase to other sectors the achievements that can arise when communities unite to combat food waste," said Collyns.
