Save Food, Save Lives

Christian Aid is urging Wiltshire and Dorset consumers to waste less festive food, save money and support its Christmas Appeal Enough for Everyone, after a poll revealed that 44% of South West shoppers admitted overspending on food at Christmas.

For every pound the public gives to the appeal, the UK Government will also give a pound. The Government’s contribution will be spent on Christian Aid projects tackling hunger in conflict-torn South Sudan targeting mothers and infants under-five facing the life-threatening effects of malnutrition.

The ComRes poll commissioned by the charity revealed that South West shoppers are relatively careful, with those in Wales being the least likely to say they feel they usually overspend (43%) and those in the North East the most likely (66%).

But the survey revealed that of those adults in the South West who admitted spending too much, 61% would overspend by up to £50, and 23% by up to £100.

The food people say is most likely to end up in South West bins was the humble Brussel sprout (11%) followed by cranberry sauce and Christmas pudding both at 9%.

Churches and individuals across Wiltshire are supporting Enough for Everyone which is highlighting the impact of hunger and malnutrition on families in sub-Saharan Africa and urging people to cut back on waste and give money for food that can save lives this Christmas.

The poll is published as Christian Aid launches stop-motion film, 'Oh, What a Waste', using singing food from the traditional Christmas dinner and a customised version of The Twelve Days of Christmas, to highlight the vast quantity of edibles the UK public throws away every year and encourage people to give money that will help food reach those in urgent need.

The statistics used in the film are based on existing research and include 70 million mince pies, four million puddings and two million turkeys.

Katrine Musgrave, Christian Aid’s regional coordinator for Wiltshire said: “We hope that people will enjoy Oh what a waste as a piece of festive fun that nevertheless brings home an important message.

“If we all cut back on food and waste we can give money for food that helps save lives - and there’s the added bonus of knowing that the Government will contribute too.

“Hunger is not inevitable. There is enough food in the world to feed everyone. Yet people are still going to bed hungry, and every day thousands of the world’s most vulnerable children die or have their growth stunted as a result of lack of food.

“The crisis in South Sudan has reached unprecedented levels, with an estimated six million people facing food insecurity. If left untreated, acute malnutrition – the most extreme form of food crisis – can lead to death.

“Please do join us and support events across the county during the appeal as so that together, the people of Wiltshire can make this a hopeful, not a wasteful, Christmas.”

To learn more about Enough for Everyone or to donate visit www.christianaid.org.uk/christmas-appeal Just £10 could feed a family in South Sudan for a week and £150 could provide ten families with fishing gear to provide food rich in protein.

Donations made to the Christmas Appeal between 6 November 2017 and 5 February 2018 will be matched by the Government up to £2.7 million.

SHOPPERS URGED TO WASTE LESS FOOD & SAVE MONEY & LIVES THIS CHRISTMAS