Loose fruit and veg is better to buy for the environment and it seems we are changing our habits to do so.
According to a new survey by Love Food Hate Waste, released during Food Waste Action Week, 56% of adults would choose loose produce, with bananas topping the list at 70% preferring loose purchasing.
Currently, around 60% of UK food waste originates from households, costing £17 billion annually, with fresh fruit and veg being the main culprits.
The survey found that selling produce loose encourages shoppers to buy only what they need, potentially saving households money and significantly reducing food waste.
Shoppers indicated that buying loose items allows them to purchase exact amounts, cutting unnecessary wastage, particularly for items like potatoes and bananas, which are often discarded prematurely.
The survey, fronted by award-winning low-waste chef Max La Manna, further revealed that shifting to loose produce could prevent approximately 60,000 tonnes of food waste annually—equivalent to 8.2 million shopping baskets of produce.
It also highlighted the financial implications, with households potentially reducing their annual food waste by hundreds of pounds.
In response, WRAP, the environmental charity behind Love Food Hate Waste, has called for government action to mandate selling key fruits and vegetables loose, encouraging consumers to buy closer to their needs.
Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh has supported this call, emphasising that reducing domestic food waste is essential for economic and environmental sustainability.
This initiative demonstrates strong public appetite for sustainable shopping practices and highlights significant potential for retailers and consumers to collaborate in tackling one of the biggest environmental issues—food waste.
