Bay of Plenty households are being encouraged to take part in a new programme aimed at helping people cut food waste, save money and make the most of their kai.

Envirohub Bay of Plenty will run two Every Bite programmes this year, with a small pilot class starting in February, followed by a larger intake in May.

Every Bite is a four‑week, community‑led programme designed to help participants better understand their food habits and take practical steps to waste less at home.

Research has shown Kiwi households discard more than 157,000 tonnes of edible food each year, costing the average household about $1326 a year.

Envirohub project co-ordinator Hannah Cousar said 2026 was the first time the Every Bite programme would run in the Bay of Plenty, following two years of success elsewhere in New Zealand.

Cousar said the growing programme was being delivered through 11 hubs nationally.

Envirohub BOP project co-ordinator Hannah Cousar said the Every Bite programme was about inspiring people to be more sustainable with food and save money doing so. Photo / Supplied

She said reducing household food waste would save money, lower emissions and reduce pressure on landfills.

The programme would provide participants with tools to track food waste, experiment with simple prevention strategies and learn flexible approaches that suit their household.

This included helpful habits such as how to organise the fridge to keep perishables in sight and not forgotten at the back of the fridge.

She would also discuss the difference between “use by” and “best before” dates, as well as easy ways to utilise items slightly past their expiration date, such as recipes for stale bread.

The Every Bite 2026 community hub partners from around the country. Photo / Supplied

“New Zealand is creating lot of food waste so we are trying to create a behaviour change,” Cousar said.

She said there was a common misconception that being sustainable was expensive: “This will help people save money while being sustainable.”

Cousar said the February programme would include cooking demonstrations, recipes, prizes and a potluck gathering.

The launch event would be held at Te Pahi cooking school in Welcome Bay and feature a hands‑on cooking demonstration by Te Pahi chef James Broad.

Creator and director of Te Pahi, James Broad. Photo / Supplied

Broad has been a chef for 38 years and said cooking was in his DNA.

He wanted to break down some of the myths that discouraged people from jumping into the kitchen.

“I make it a really safe space to grow and learn. I provide a space for them to be relaxed and not be judged.”

Participants would be guided through recipes designed to help households use up ingredients and prevent food waste.

Throughout the month, participants would receive tips, tricks and resources, access a private group chat, and take part in a mid-month video check-in to share progress and ideas.

A potluck picnic would wrap up the programme, allowing participants to celebrate their progress and connect with others involved.

Chef James Broad said cooking good food doesn't need to take all day. Photo / Supplied

Cousar said the programme was zero‑judgment and designed for people at all stages of their sustainability journey.

The wider Every Bite programme was delivered nationally in partnership with Zero Waste Network Aotearoa and has supported thousands of households to reduce food waste.

The programme will launch in the Bay of Plenty on February 3 with the Te Pahi event.

Funding meant participants would only pay a small registration fee or koha of up to $15, plus booking fee, but spaces are limited.

Registrations are open at events.humanitix.com/envirohub-bay-of-plenty-every-bite-2026.