New Zealand supermarkets are throwing out millions of dollars worth of edible food each week. This is alarming as such food can be put to better use, such as being put towards lunch programs in low decile schools; donated to charities with food banks for people in a less fortunate position; or even, as a further option, being turned into animal feed. Furthermore, huge quantities of food waste have hugely detrimental impacts on the environment. Of the 3.2 million tonnes of waste discarded into the landfill in 2006, 23 percent was organic waste - waste that could easily have been avoidable. New Zealand needs to be following in the footsteps of France, where their government recently passed a law for supermarkets over 400 square metres to sign contracts with charities so as to put their unsold, edible food to better use. If France is able to enact this change, we believe New Zealand can just as easily become a less wasteful and more equitable country.

“Edible food waste” is a term used to describe foods that are no longer sellable in supermarkets but are still technically edible for those who want it. Such foods include cans and packages that are past their best-before date (but not their expiry date), or unattractive foods, such as bruised fruits or disfigured vegetables.

Although there are supermarkets which are already being proactive on this front in terms of joining forces with local charities and organisations, we believe that legislative change will be what significantly reduces edible food waste across the country. By signing this petition, you will help us to increase pressure on the government to take this issue seriously and influence the creation of a policy specific to this issue.