A Paisley charity boss is tackling food waste and poverty one brown paper bag at a time with Star TeaBags.
Star TeaBags were first introduced for Challenge Poverty Week 2018 by Star Project and they were so successful with residents, the charity had to find another way to utilise them.
The bags have all the measured ingredients that a family would need to cook a meal whilst also reducing food waste.
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Sharon McAulay, chief executive of Star Project, said: “STAR TeaBags are basically ‘yer tea in a bag’, containing a recipe card along with all the measured ingredients you need to create your family a healthy meal.
"A STAR TeaBag for a family of four costs only £5 and these can currently be purchased every Friday.
“Every week we create a new STAR TeaBag that is based on seasonal availability and surplus food. We also create various themed TeaBags over the year such as fake-aways and Christmas specials, and we adapt contents to suit each family’s needs. We have some exciting development plans in place to extend our STAR TeaBags in the coming months.”
According to Net Zero Scotland, Scots throw away an average of 600,000 tonnes of food every year which then, as it decomposes, releases methane - which is more harmful than carbon dioxide - into the atmosphere.
Star TeaBags, along with Pantry Plus, is built on the ethos of responsibility and sustainability and, along with reducing food waste, it encourages healthy eating and facilitates cooking skills.
Pantry Plus has everyday food items in smaller quantities not readily available in supermarkets and allows people to get what they need to cook a specific meal.
Every penny spent on Pantry Plus and on Star TeaBag is put to Star’s Community Fridge, established in 1999, which is a free emergency food provision.
Sharon added: “Pantry Plus is to provide a local, dignified, sustainable, and affordable alternative for the community, encouraging them to cook healthy, nutritious meals and think differently about the way they shop.
“Ultimately, minimising the impact on the environment whilst maximising access to food within the financial resources people have available to them. Our Pantry Plus initiative is where climate change meets the tackling poverty agenda.”
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