Last updated 08:59, Saturday, 29 November 2008

TASTY tips on how to save money and reduce waste this Christmas are on offer in a series of roadshows around the county over the next two weeks.

Tips: Chef James Hill will be cooking in Carlisle

The Love Food Hate Waste Cumbria campaign is aimed at encouraging us all to cut down on the amount of food we throw away and also provide some seasonal recipes.

Research shows that around a third of the food we buy ends up in the bin, meaning that the UK as a whole is sending 6.7 million tonnes of food to landfill sites annually.

Discarded food also contributes to climate change by releasing methane and carbon dioxide during the rotting process, while the production, transportation and storing of food creates a problem by using energy, water and packaging.

The Love Food Hate Waste Cumbria campaign programme is:

n Saturday, December 6 – Cockermouth market place 10am until 6pm. This event is part of the grand re-opening of the Cockermouth market place.

There will be a Made in Cumbria Farmers’ Market and music and entertainment throughout the day, leading up to the grand reopening at 5pm. Local chef Annette Gibbons will be giving cookery demonstrations.

n Friday, December 12 – Carlisle city centre 10am until 2pm. James Hill, the chef/patron at Bijou, Carlisle, will show how to cook up some Christmas treats.

n Saturday, December 13 – Whitehaven town centre 10am until 2pm This event is part of the new Whitehaven Farmers’ Market. The Made in Cumbria mobile kitchen will be used for cookery demonstrations by local chef Grainne Jakobson at 11am and 1pm.

n Tuesday, December 16 – Penrith town centre 10am until 2pm. Penrith Farmers’ Market will be taking place and Love Food Hate Waste information and competitions will be available.

MARTIN ALLMAN, Cumbria County Council’s waste prevention manager, said: “The Love Food Hate Waste campaign will show that saving money and helping the environment is a lot easier than you might think.

“Far too much food gets thrown away, but with a bit of thought and preparation this can be massively reduced and some healthy, great tasting dishes can be created.”

“Cumbria is a county well-known for delicious food and drink, and these roadshows are a great opportunity for people to get out there and taste what the county has to offer and learn how they can keep more money in their pockets and help in the battle against climate change.”

For more information about the Love Food Hate Waste Cumbria campaign visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/cumbria