Pancake Day can use up food in the cupboard

Herefordshire Council is encouraging people to enjoy Pancake Day, as the event can have an environmental benefit to add to its religious roots.

Pancake Day takes place next Tuesday, February 5 and marks Shrove Tuesday, the day before the Christian festival of Lent. Its traditions stem from households fattening themselves up before the 40 days or so of fasting before Easter.

The council's waste prevention team is encouraging residents to get creative and see what they can add to their pancakes from the food already in their cupboards. As well as creating sweet or savoury sensations, residents might also help to save on food waste.

Richard Wood, Herefordshire Council's waste services manager, said: "Pancake day is a great time to get out the mixing bowls, frying pans and to whisk up some delicious snacks. It's great for using up items from your cupboards, like eggs, flour, milk and bananas, saving you money and waste.

"In the UK we throw away a staggering third of the food we buy - most of which could be eaten. This means that for every three bags of food shopping brought home, one of them is effectively put straight in the bin.

"This Pancake Day, have a look in your cupboards and get creative, pancakes can be enjoyed sweet or savoury. And if you find you can't eat all your pancakes, don't throw them away, store them in the fridge for two days or freeze them for up to a month."

Residents can log on to http://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/ to discover more simple steps that can be taken that will help to reduce your food waste and great recipe ideas. Alternatively they can check out the ideas of the Mission Impossible scheme at http://www.wastemissionimpossible.org.uk/ or call 01905 766883 to request a free copy of the LOVE FOOD hate waste leaflet.

The leaflet is bursting with ideas on how to keep food fresh, perfect portion sizes, time and money saving ideas and a few fantastic recipes to help residents make the most of their food.