It’s Food Waste Action Week (March 9th –15th) – the UK’s biggest annual food waste reduction campaign – here to serve up inspiration and practical tips to help us all make a difference.
When it comes to tackling food waste, Burnley Leisure & Culture really is the cream of the crop. We’re proud to support this year’s theme ‘Make Your Food Go Fuuuuuuuurther: for your pocket, for our planet’ because the stats are hard to swallow.
UK households chuck away 4.4 million tonnes of edible food every year. That’s worth a whopping £17.5 billion and generates 16 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. Food for thought, especially at a time when costs are rising and climate pressures continue to heat up.
Reducing food waste
But did you know that reducing food waste is one of the quickest and simplest ways to save a bit of dough and help the planet at the same time?
We don’t let those leftovers go to waste. We’re busy turning our bistro kitchen scraps into compost.
Composting is one of the easiest ways to cut down on waste and care for our soil. By transforming food scraps into a rich, natural soil booster, we’re giving leftovers a second helping of purpose and helping our plants and protecting our lovely planet.
Tasty tucker
At Down Town Café in Charter Walk, we’re passionate about cutting down on food waste while helping to feed more people in our community.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our local suppliers, businesses, and charities across Burnley, we receive donations of fresh and tinned food. Some items may be close to their sell-by date, but that certainly doesn’t mean they’re past their best.
Instead of throwing them away, we make sure they’re carefully checked, properly prepared, and safe to eat. This means we can turn would-be waste into hundreds of delicious, nutritious meals at a low cost for those who need them most.
And of course, none of this would be possible without our amazing volunteers. A huge thank you to them!
Pay it forward
We also run a brilliant ‘Pay It Forward’ scheme. It simply means that people can buy a £5 voucher for someone in need of a hot, healthy meal.
These vouchers can be purchased at the till in Prairie Bistro, 197 Bistro, and Mechanics Bistro and spent there too.
The scheme has been incredibly well received and makes a real difference in the local community. It’s a simple idea, but it has a powerful impact, ensuring that anyone who needs a warm, nourishing meal can enjoy one with dignity.
Thank you for the kindness shown by everyone who has donated so far.
Cookery school classes and workshops for all
Not sure how to cook or just lack confidence in the kitchen? You’ll love our Down Town Cookery School cooking courses and workshops.
If you just cook for yourself or have a whole family to feed, our hands-on sessions will help you feel more confident to deliver while keeping track of your budget.
At a slow and easy-to-follow pace, we’ll share our affordable recipes, and you’ll enjoy learning some practical skills. We’ll show you how to make the most of your food and reduce waste.
Everyone is welcome, from complete beginners to those just wanting to hone their existing know-how.
The ‘Foodie Fridays’ drop-in workshops run at Down Town, from 10am-12pm every Friday, until Friday 10th July (except for bank holidays and school holidays).
Coming soon
We’re already plotting away for a very exciting event in October.
Keep your eyes peeled for tickets for our ‘Fundraising Fine Dining Feast at Downtown’ – a sensational evening of beautifully prepared food, great company, and community spirit.
All the cash we raise will support our not-for-profit café and local services.
