The Ministry of Agriculture on Monday appealed to citizens to try and reduce the amount of food thrown out during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

The festive season is a time of giving and plenty when we prepare and consume a great amount of food and drink, the ministry said in a press release, warning that rarely do people eat everything they bought and prepared.

Surveys have shown that about 53%, or even up to 70%, of food thrown out comes from households.

Raising awareness on the issue of food waste

That is why the ministry has launched a series of activities this year aimed at raising awareness among consumers regarding the problem of excessive food waste in Croatia, with the purpose of changing habits and behaviour with food in households, the workplace, in schools, in stores, or in restaurants.

The ministry appealed to citizens to try and reduce the amount of food wasted in each household during the festive season by applying a series of pointers, such as planning shopping lists and rational buying without going into excess.

“Let’s be socially sensitive throughout the year and share groceries and surplus food with those in need,” the ministry said.

Reducing the amount of food waste means decreasing household costs, they added, calling on people to participate in trying to achieve the goal of halving the amount of food wasted by 2030.