Be food savvy

Be food savvy this Christmas

As we start to prepare for the festive season, there are a few simple things we can all do to reduce our own carbon footprint.

Becoming food savvy is a great place to start!

In the UK we waste around 5 million Christmas puddings, 2 million turkeys, and 74 million mince pies each year.

Much of the extra food waste we accumulate at this time of year can be reused and recycled.

This Christmas you can save time and money by:

� planning your meals for the festive period and using the plan to write a shopping list to avoid overbuying � Stay in control of shopping - set your budget before you get to the store and stick to it, this will help you keep your eye on the £s and stay in control of your budget � Follow these actions not just at

Christmas but every week until they become second nature and part of your weekly food routine. In a few weeks, you’ll be surprised how much food you’re saving from the bin and how many more £s you have in your pocket. � make the most of leftover food, by reusing it for another meal. For inspiration visit: www.lovefoodhatewaste.com

The best thing that can happen to food is that it makes it to our plates and is enjoyed. However, some food waste is inevitable, so please ensure any unavoidable waste is placed in your food waste box.

If you have never recycled food waste before, or have in the past and have stopped, now is the time to take up food recycling again.

Prepare for Christmas and order your box today. www.bexley.gov.uk/foodboxes Bexley celebrated Black History Month in October. It’s an annual celebration to commemorate the history, achievements and contributions of Black people in the UK.

The theme for this year was ‘Time for Change: Action Not Words’. We can all achieve this by being allies and appreciating the diverse cultural and social values across the Black community, by listening to diverse voices and promoting the work of Black people.

The Council has joined 17 other local authorities across the country to pilot the Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) for Social Care. The WRES aims to overcome inequality in the social work workforce, with a consistent and effective approach across both adult and children’s social care.

The Council’s Black, Asian, Minority Equality Workers Group hosted information sessions for staff and events to raise awareness of the month.

We are proud of our diverse community. Black History Month provides us with an opportunity to come together and celebrate the positive role of Black people in shaping our communities and to promote knowledge and understanding of Black History and culture in our borough.