To help rescue pumpkins that would otherwise end up in the bin, Wychavon is giving away bags chock-full of ingredients to local community spaces to distribute.
Many households across Wychavon will carve at least one pumpkin to display for Halloween fun – but the real horror happens when 15.8 million* end up being trashed in the landfill.
For the second year in a row, Wychavon is supporting residents to #EatYourPumpkin. Simple recipes have been created to show that you don’t need to be a chef to make something tasty.
The bags are being given away from Friday at Pershore Community Cupboard, Evesham Adventure Playground and Westlands School, Droitwich Spa.
The bags will include almost all of the ingredients needed to make a Simple Pumpkin soup, including the pumpkins donated by Churchfields Farm, ginger, honey and spices. Any other ingredients needed can usually be found in most homes or obtained from Community Cupboards.
Recipe cards for the soup, pumpkin and mushroom stew, pumpkin pasta sauce and roasted pumpkin seeds are also included in the bags as residents are encouraged to do what they can to end pumpkin waste.
If residents would like to #EatYourPumpkin simply download the recipes from Wychavon’s Facebook page and grab a bargain pumpkin from the shops now that Halloween is over.
Cllr Emma Stokes, Executive Board Member for Resident and Customer Services, said: “We’re asking residents to consider the extra waste created at this time of year by #EatingYourPumpkin. Pumpkins are so much more than just a decoration – they’re an incredibly versatile fruit with every part of it, except the stalk, being edible. But if you’re unable to eat your pumpkin, please make sure that don’t leave it out for hedgehogs nor discard them in any woods or parks for wild animals.
“Analysis of Wychavon’s refuse shows that too much food waste needlessly goes in our rubbish bins, especially at this time of year, after Halloween.
“I’m delighted that Wychavon is working with local, small businesses and residents to improve food waste in our area.”
If eating the pumpkin isn’t an option, Wychavon is asking for locals to compost them at home, once the seeds and skin have been removed beforehand. The tough outer skin can be recycled as a temporary bird feeder but remember to remove it once it starts to rot. Residents can also sprinkle pumpkin seeds in their garden for wild birds to enjoy.
However, Wychavon is recommending that people not leave pumpkins where hedgehogs can get at them, as they are potentially fatal for these spiny mammals.
ENDS
Pictured:
Branwen and Ben collect pumpkins: Ben Price, Communities Officer (South), and Branwen Bingle Communities Officer (Central) gather pumpkins from Churchfields Farm for #EatYourPumpkin 2023.
Notes to editor:
*15.8 million pumpkins go to waste according to Hubbub
Recipes can also be found on Wychavon’s Facebook page.
