Action for Food Waste
Many community groups and individuals throughout the District are undertaking a range of actions which help to reduce food waste.
According to Wrap, 30% of the average general waste bin is made up of food, 20% of which could still have been eaten. Not only will reducing food waste benefit the environment, it will also benefit your pocket as households could potentially save up to £1000 per year.
When food is discarded, the resources including energy and water used to produce, transport and store it are wasted as well. When left to decompose in landfills, food waste emits methane which is a greenhouse gas. Methane has 28 times greater global warming potential than carbon dioxide on a 100 year scale.
There are lots of small and large actions we can take to reduce food waste but for now, here is what some groups are going locally and in turn benefitting our planet.
Further information is available on our new Climate website.
Rouskey Community and Development Association
Rouskey Community and Development Association is based in the Community Centre in the hamlet of Rouskey which is in a rural area, 3 miles from Gortin, in the heart of the Sperrins. The Centre acts as a hub delivering a range of classes, activities and services to suit the needs and demands of the rural community.
In 2023, a Community Garden was set up adjacent to the Centre with funding received from an AXA Parks Fund. The Community Garden is now a vibrant, community green space where the local community have ‘hands on’ experience of learning to sow seeds, propagate and care for plants which range from fruit, vegetables and herbs to shrubs and trees.
A Gardening Group meets on a weekly basis and they work alongside a facilitator who provides them with the opportunity to learn new skills, increase their knowledge and experience the satisfaction and fulfilment it brings. The Group has been successful in growing a range of produce which the local community can purchase in return for a small donation.
In addition, particular emphasis has been placed on upcycling and recycling where possible to make window boxes, planters and garden furniture etc. for use within the Community Garden. The Garden has evolved into a meeting place for the local community where they can socialise, relax and admire the beautiful backdrop of the Owenkillew valley.
Annagh Social Farm CIC, Derrylin
At Annagh Social Farm, food waste is a no! There are many, vegetables, herbs and even a fruit maze in the orchard at Annagh Social Farm. All the food that is grown on the farm is turned into something nice to eat, preserve it, freeze it or given to the farm animals to feed on.
The farm supports people with learning disabilities in activities such as animal husbandry, conservation and horticulture as well as arts, crafts and baking. A lot of the activities across the farm include elements of upcycling which is in turn reducing waste being sent to landfill sites.
Through arts and craft activities, the members use the opportunities to promote reduction in littering and learn about local biodiversity.
Owenkillew Community Centre, Gortin
Owenkillew Community Centre was the first to run a Community Fridge in the Fermanagh and Omagh District area. It’s a key initiative that redistributes surplus food from local businesses to residents of Gortin and beyond to help reduce food waste and alleviate food insecurity.
There is a thriving community garden where raised beds are leased to locals, grow ‘organic’ food for community distribution, host workshops on ‘growing your own’ and promote no-dig techniques, soil health and composting. There is also a community food forest, which will be an ongoing project over the next 20 years.
Food waste from the community centre, community fridge and community garden is converted into nutritious compost by various methods including compost barrels, pallet bays, hens and worm farms. We recognise the value of organic waste and, as much as possible, treat and recycle it on-site doing our bit to contribute to the circular economy,