IT'S OFFICIAL: baby boomers are a thrifty lot when it comes to food waste.
In fact, Aussie seniors throw away the least amount of food a week compared to their younger counterparts.
That's according to a new report for agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank, which has found that only 5 per cent of baby boomers say they chuck out more than a fifth of their weekly grocery shop.
The Food & Farming Report found Gen Y were the worst offenders, with a quarter admitting to binning more than a fifth of their weekly shop.
The annual report - part of Rabo Direct's annual Financial Health Barometer - surveyed 2300 people aged 18-65 about their attitudes towards food and waste. It found we bin $9.6 billion worth of food a year - more than $1050 annually per household!
Generationally, baby boomers (people born between 1952 and 1966) are the least wasteful (7 per cent), with Gen Y (20 per cent) demonstrating more wasteful actions than Gen Z (18 per cent) or Gen X (11 per cent).
Those living in the city waste more than people in rural areas, even though more city dwellers consider themselves ethically conscious.
City residents throw away more than 16 per cent of the food they buy each week, while country residents throw away 10 per cent.
Regionally, the survey found Victorians are the most wasteful, with 19 per cent throwing out more than 20 per cent of their grocery shop, compared to 4 per cent of Tasmanians - the most frugal Aussie state.
The report also found that while nine out of 10 households waste food every week, just over half consider themselves ethically conscious consumers and about three quarters care about changing their waste habits.
Rabo Direct boss Bede Cronin said the results show food waste is still an issue in Australia, but it also highlights that knowledge is a key driver in reducing waste with more than a third of baby boomers (39 per cent) saying they understand what's involved with the farming and food production process.
"Positively it also shows that Australians can make a few small changes to everyday habits, such as using leftovers for lunches through the week and making sure you plan your meals before going shopping, which will help reduce food waste and save you a few dollars," he said.
"Those additional dollars could be better spent on that end of year holiday, Christmas presents for family or friends, or even put into a high interest savings account to save for something special."
Top tips for reducing food waste
1. Plan ahead and always take a shopping list with you.
2. Make the most of over-ripe fruit and leftover vegies by making fruit muffins, smoothies and vegetable soups.
3. Rotate items in your fridge with older foods at the front to be eaten first.
4. Plan a meal at the end of the week to use up all remaining vegetables, such as a stir fry or curry.
5. Grow your own herbs, fruit and veggies and pick only what you need.
6. Serve smaller portions. You can always have seconds!
7. Avoid planning more than a week ahead and avoid wasting food due to impromptu dinner invitations or evening commitments.
8. Keep an "Eat Now" container in the fridge. When you notice a food item is starting to wilt or approaching its use-by date, place it in the container as a reminder to use it soon.