Too Good To Go survey reveals scale of Christmas food waste

A quarter of Irish households are guilty of wasting a whole food over the festive period, with 18% throwing away even more

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As the festive season is in full swing, many households nationwide are gearing up for a Christmas feast. 

However, the Christmas period is also a time of significant food waste, with hundreds of euros of perfectly good food going to waste every year. 

A shocking 50% of the food we buy for the Christmas break often goes uneaten.* 

Too Good To Go

Too Good To Go, the social impact company behind the world’s largest marketplace app for surplus food, has released new research highlighting the staggering amount of food wasted by Irish consumers during the Christmas period.

The festive season is a time of joy and celebration, but it can also lead to a frenzy of food preparation. 

16% of Irish people always feel the pressure to over-cater for Christmas gatherings, while 21% often succumb to the urge. 

This excessive food preparation results in overflowing plates and ultimately, a mountain of food waste. 

A staggering 25% of Irish consumers admit to wasting bread over the Christmas period. 

From discarded crusts to uneaten loaves, bread seems to be a major culprit to the nation’s food waste. 

Seasonal sauces

When it comes to sauces, 23% of consumers toss out seasonal sauces like cranberry sauce and brandy butter. These festive favourites, often only used for a single meal, contribute significantly to the food waste problem.

A shocking quarter of Irish households are guilty of wasting a whole food over the festive period, with 18% throwing away even more. 

This holiday season, lots of perfectly good food is being needlessly discarded. 

Even our beloved vegetables aren’t immune. 

Eight per cent of Irish households are tossing out large amounts of Brussels sprouts, while 16% are wasting moderate amounts of carrots and potatoes. 

“We all love the joy of a festive feast, but it’s important to remember that food waste can have a significant impact on our planet,” said Machaela O’Leary, Ireland sales manager, Too Good To Go.

By taking simple steps like planning meals and using leftovers creatively, we can enjoy the holiday season without contributing to this issue. 

“Together, we can make a difference and all contribute to reduce our food waste over the busy christmas season.’’

Top tips for leftovers

• Turkey Curry: Turn your leftover turkey into a delicious and warming curry. Add your favourite spices, vegetables, and a dollop of coconut milk for a flavourful and satisfying meal.
• Roasted Root Vegetable Mash: Combine leftover vegetables like carrots, parsnips and sweet potatoes with a bit of butter, cream and seasoning for a creamy and delicious mash.
• Vegetable Fritters: Mix leftover vegetables with flour, eggs, and spices to create crispy and flavourful fritters. Serve with your favourite dipping sauce.
• Homemade Breadcrumbs: Dry out stale bread and blitz it in a food processor to create homemade breadcrumbs. Use them to coat chicken, fish, or vegetables or add them to casseroles and soups.

For more information about Too Good To Go, visit here. 

Download the Too Good To Go app today and join the fight against food waste.

*Dr. Sinéad McCarthy, research officer in the Department of Agrifood Business and Spatial Analysis, Teagasc Ashtown. 

Read more: ALDI and Too Good To Go hit 100,000 sales milestone for Surprise Bags in Ireland

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