Shopping? Make a list, say council ‘nannies’

A LEAFLET sent out by a council advised locals to cut down on food waste by ‘taking a shopping list’ and ‘storing food in the fridge’.

The pamphlet, sent to 30,000 households in Watford, included patronising hints such as: ‘Use up leftovers and pull together a delicious meal by combining them with your favourite ingredients’.

Ironically the leaflet, which was aimed at helping to reduce waste, has itself been labelled ‘a massive waste of money’ by disbelieving locals.

craig Saunders said: ‘I assumed the leaflet was for children, but no, it’s for us council taxpayers who are too dumb to work out how to put away food.’

The leaflet also included tips on how to go shopping, saying: ‘Plan ahead – write a shopping list so you

‘Assumed it was for children’

only buy what you really need.’ In the ‘store correctly’ column, it advises: ‘Keep essentials in the cupboard, fridge and freezer, and keep an eye on use by and best before dates. Did you know you can freeze bread, cheese and milk?’

And there were helpful hints on how to measure out the correct amount of rice and spaghetti - so you don’t make too much and throw it away.

Another local, Sarah carson, said: ‘I know the council might be trying to be helpful, but this leaflet is really just a massive waste of our council tax money.’

But a council spokesman defended it, saying: ‘Recent analysis showed 30 percent of residents’ black bin content is food waste.

‘This costs council taxpayers money in landfill charges, and costs us all in terms of the environmental impact.’