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The typical British household munches through 1,872 snacks a year, spending over £1,200 annually on these light bites – a fifth of their entire food budget. Snacks are a key part of the weekly food shop for families with kids under 18 – with 21 percent of the items bought home from the shop being snack foods.
But a poll of 1,800 parents found that half (49 percent) are guilty of throwing away uneaten food that could be snacked on – such as fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, and yoghurts.
Four in ten (41 percent) discard these items after leaving them to go stale, in packets that have been left open for too long.
But 47 percent admit the food they throw away is still edible – with 53 percent feeling guilty for tossing it.
The research was commissioned by Jacob’s, which has also created a quiz to reveal what type of snacker you are – from hunting through the cupboard for goodies, to fishing an old sweet out of a handbag.
The savoury cracker brand has teamed up with EastEnders actor, Jac Jossa, and “waste disruptor” chef, Martyn Odell, to launch the Less Waste More Taste Snackademy.
This is designed to help families save money and reduce food waste by being more resourceful with their snacks.
Mum-of-two, Jac Jossa, said: “As a busy mum, there are sometimes moments when it’s easier to grab ready-made snacks – especially on a day where the kids are being fussy or want to eat different things.
“However, I’ve learnt some really easy, tasty, and quick recipes made from the stuff in the back of the fridge or cupboard, that everyone can have up their sleeve.
“Using up these ingredients can help to reduce food waste and save money throughout the year.
“I’m really excited to be launching the Jacob’s Snackademy with Martyn to help inspire families to turn their leftovers into tasty snacks.”
The study also found that over half (53 percent) of snack-lovers feel stuck in a “snack rut”, repeatedly buying the same things to nibble on.
The top reasons for this include not being able to think of anything different to buy, and some members of the family being fussy
And of those who throw away food that could still be eaten, 44 percent regularly bin leftovers from previous meals.
More than a third (37 percent) don’t get through all the fresh fruit they buy, while 36 percent have the same problem with veg, according to the study, via OnePoll.
But a third have thrown away food because they bought too much, and it went out of date before it was consumed.
A quarter of those polled also admitted they don’t know what to do with a small amount of food left over – so chuck it out instead.
Sustainable chef, Martyn Odell, said: “One of the best ways to fight food waste is to be more resourceful with the food you have.
“The recipes I’ve created all showcase how, with just a humble cracker, you can quickly knock up fresh and delicious snacks using food you already have at home.
“The snacks are a great way to use up all those little bits and bobs leftover in your fridge that you may not know what to do with, and so often throw away.”
Kate Stokes, for Jacob’s, said: “We’re on a mission to help families achieve less waste and more taste by showing how they can turn food which would otherwise go to waste into delicious snacks, transforming food found in the average fridge.
“The Less Waste, More Taste Snackademy is just one way in which we’re helping families to tackle food waste, and supports our partnership with FareShare to redistribute the equivalent of 40,000 meals to help fight hunger.”
Martyn and Jac’s recipes can be seen at Jacob’s Instagram channel, @jacobsofficialuk, and include a garlic and rosemary white bean dip, sundried tomato and cream cheese, chargrilled marinated veg, and frozen minted peas with fish fingers.
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