269: UK drive to cut over-consumption

For years jokes have been made about the 'EU butter mountain'. Since I was a kid, and probably longer, parents have urged their children to finish their suppers and not to waste food that could otherwise feed those less fortunate. Today's linked article from the UK's Independent newspaper picks up on the sad irony that - according to a UK government report to be released tomorrow (Monday 7th) - UK consumers throw away around 4.1 million tonnes of excess food and that, even before then, poor processing, storage and transport result in about 40% of groceries going to waste. But, at last, it seems that the UK government is planning to act, by working with consumers, supermarkets, restaurants and others to reduce this waste. And it's hoping to persuade other G8 countries to do the same, and to take other steps to address the global food crisis, at the upcoming G8 Summit in Japan. Now, we shouldn't get too carried away - every year hope abounds prior to a G8 Summit, and everyone feels let down afterwards. But this policy move struck me as different - for a start, a 10-month research project precedes it, but it also makes good economic, social and environmental sense domestically. For example, the average UK household could save around £420 per year (about $800) if their food purchases more accurately reflected their needs. 'All things in moderation' is a maxim worth living by, it seems, and not just for one's own benefit. Come to think of it, that's another thing I've been hearing since I was a kid...