Carmel Ireland, the project manager at the 5+ A Day Charitable Trust says Kiwi consumers have a secret dirty habit that emits more tonnes of carbon emissions each year than 150,000 cars.

"In 2021 we threw away enough food waste to keep entire population of Dunedin fed for three years," says Carmel.

She says the 5+ A Day Charitable Trust is urging Kiwis to be inspired by Earth Day on April 22 and make lasting changes to the way they manage their groceries.

"The changes we can make this year are simple but significant," says Carmel.

'Earth Day is all about action. Despite the enormous challenges facing the planet, we can all make a difference.

"Sustainable shopping habits don't have to be time-consuming or expensive; in fact, throwing away food is currently costing the average Kiwi over $600 a year, so there's a financial incentive as well as an environmental bonus,” says Carmel.

'Make a start with ‘whole vegetable' and ‘whole fruit' cooking. This means using as much of the fresh produce as you can rather than throwing away parts of it. You will not only reduce waste, but you'll also benefit from the nutrients stored in the skin, cores, and stems.”

Carmel's top tips for whole fruit and vegetable cooking include:
• Save stems and peel for soups and stock
• Roast vegetables with the skin on
• Slice stems of broccoli and cauliflower into a stirfry
• Freeze excess herbs in a little water in ice cube trays
• Simmer fruit core when making porridge for added flavour
• Use stalks like carrot & beetroot tops to make pesto.

The theme of Earth Day 2022 is ‘Invest in our Planet' and Carmel says this year the annual day of global climate action encourages us to take a close look at our ‘foodprint' or the way in which our diet affects the climate.

The 5+ A Day Charitable Trust was established in 2007 for the benefit of all Kiwis, especially children. The Trust is committed to increasing the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables for better health in all New Zealanders.

"We encourage all Kiwis to eat five or more servings of colourful, fresh vegetables and two servings of fruit every day for health and vitality," says Carmel. "Our key messages are in line with our Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation's recommendations.

'Choosing meals and snacks that use lots of fresh, locally grown and in season fruit and vegetables is an easy way to save the planet. The United Nations has declared that plant-based diets have the greatest and most immediate benefit to the climate as they conserve natural resources and produce less waste,” says Carmel.

'However, it's important to manage your household's fruit and vegetables well to ensure they stay fresher for longer and out of the rubbish. Fresh produce should always be stored correctly, you'll not only reduce waste, but this is the best way to ensure you get the maximum nutritional value from each bite.”

For more tips and recipes to make the most of seasonal produce, head to the 5+ A Day website: https://www.5aday.co.nz/ and follow the 5+ A Day Charitable Trust on social media: @5adaynz

The 5+ A Day Charitable Trust is funded by voluntary contributions from New Zealand's pan produce industry.

Check out the Love Food Hate Waste website for more statistics on food waste at https://lovefoodhatewaste.co.nz/

For more information about Earth Day: https://www.earthday.org