An innovative scheme is helping battle food waste by transforming excess crops into skincare.
The Watercress Company, which already supplies huge amounts of the vegetable to food waste schemes including the London-based Felix Project, is developing products to help prevent and soothe nappy rash and other skin complaints.
It comes after medical research discovered watercress extract contains enzymes that can prevent or lessen certain skin conditions.
The firm’s managing director, Tom Amery, has partnered with Professor Paul Winyard and Dr Kyle Stewart, of Watercress Research Ltd, who create their “Prof & Doc” products using his watercress.
Mr Amery said the work was “exciting on so many levels”.
He added: “Not only does it promise to provide a solution for several common skin ailments that make life a misery for so many, but it provides us with another innovative way to use excess crops.
“There’s a period of the year when we naturally have a surplus, and we’ve always wanted to make use of this crop which could not be sold in the fresh market. Now we can.
“However, it’s more than that. This alliance is also allowing us to make use of parts that can’t be sold, such as the stalk, but which contain all the same nutrients as the rest of the plant.
“This means even in the height of summer, when we have peak sales, we will be able to supply the necessary produce for this partnership, using parts that are unwanted for food. This really is a win-win solution for us all.”
The cost-of-living crisis has pushed the issue of food waste into the public eye. Even the King has been involved — his Coronation Food Project paid for about 800 fridges and freezers to help dozens of different organisations to save, store and redistribute food that would otherwise go to waste.
The Felix Project has worked with the Standard on campaigns helping families in the capital. It operates its own kitchen and distribution network which rescues surplus food and creates healthy, tasty meals. These are delivered to schools, charities and holiday programmes across London.
So far this year it has rescued 5,240 tonnes of food and given out the equivalent of 12.5 million meals. Last year, it rescued 13,000 tonnes of food and gave out 32 million meals.
Mr Amery said: “We are passionate about playing our part in reducing food waste and since April this year have given 6,900kg of watercress (that’s 156,000 40g portions) to the Felix Project, helping people facing nutritional and hunger poverty.
“However, our work with Watercress Research Ltd is another way in which to limit food waste and will hopefully benefit thousands suffering from skin conditions that can be prevented.”
