Fighting food waste one plate at a time 

Fighting food waste sits at the core of many organisations’ work. With the cost of living continuing to affect people in Bristol and beyond, redistributing good food that would otherwise be thrown away has become an increasingly important way to support communities. Jaque Taylor finds out more.

The “Blue Plate Trial” 

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston (UHBW) recently became one of 22 organisations to take part in the “blue plate trial” launched by NHS England. In this trial, organisations are tasked with swapping standard white plates for blue in an effort to fight food waste. Why does plate colour matter, you may ask? Because it provides a strong contrast and helps patients — particularly people living with dementia — better see common pale-coloured foods such as white bread, white rice, mashed potatoes, chicken, and porridge.  

The trial became a resounding success, with patients finishing their meals 21.75% more on blue plates and decreasing overall plate waste by a staggering 68.5kg over only an eight-week period. Reducing food waste supports several efforts, including achieving net zero waste, providing financial savings, and increasing food intake, which can promote faster patient recovery. 

The Blue Plate Trial was only the start of the movement to reduce food waste at UHBW. Browned bananas now become banana muffins and unwanted bread end pieces are given new life as bread pudding. They’re also working with their patient catering supplier, taking a closer look at the carbon footprint of the meals. 

And they’re not alone: organisations all over Bristol are working hard and taking important steps towards reducing food waste in creative ways.  

Secret Soup Society  

Few things in life are quite as comforting as a cozy bowl of soup, especially in the colder months, but what’s even more comforting is the idea behind Secret Soup Society. The Lockleaze-based organisation has made it their mission to fight food waste and feed families in one fell swoop — by making healthy soup out of food that would have otherwise been discarded. They feed people nourishing soup, distribute food to those who need it, and raise awareness about the environmental and social consequences of food waste.  

Food Cycle Bristol

Food Cycle Bristol takes its menu beyond soup by making nutritious meals out of food that was destined for landfill. Beyond reducing food waste and hunger, they also strive to tackle loneliness and support mental health through the power of community dining, which encourages people to share good food and conversation.  The organisation has saved 320 tonnes of food from going to waste, connected 8,770 volunteers who donated a total 162,810 hours of their time, and had 91% of their guests say that they have met people from different backgrounds.  

Generation Soil 

Another organisation getting to the root of the problem of food waste is Generation Soil, a community interest company providing food waste solutions across Bristol. They do this through the Bristol Living Compost Project, where they collect food waste from Bristol households and small businesses and compost it locally, transforming the material into biologically active, living compost, which is then used in gardens, allotments, and community growing spaces across the city. 

Get Involved 

By digging a little deeper, we can all find manageable ways to reduce food waste within our own households and communities. For more information, visit the action plan section of the website to learn even more about city-wide action on food waste .

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