Épisodes

  • S3E10 From Waste to Nutrition with Pia Winberg
    Jun 18 2025
    S3E10 From Waste to Nutrition with Pia Winberg. In this episode, we dive deep literally and figuratively into the ocean's potential to regenerate food systems and tackle food waste. Host Joanne Freeman speaks with Pia Winberg, the visionary behind Venus Shell Systems, a company transforming nutrient waste into valuable food and agricultural products using seaweed.Pia takes us on a journey that started with planetary systems theory and ended up in large-scale seaweed cultivation. Venus Shell Systems captures nitrogen and other nutrients from food industry emissions like those from wheat processing and uses seaweed to convert them into high protein, mineral-rich ingredients. These seaweed products not only reduce coastal pollution but also enhance health and sustainability in our diets.The conversation explores how seaweed farming in controlled coastal pools can yield zero-waste, protein-rich biomass while reoxygenating water and protecting marine ecosystems. Pia explains the science behind it, including how one kilo of seaweed can absorb 50g of nitrogen and 1.5kg of carbon dioxide while producing just as much oxygen.They also discuss the challenges of communicating complex environmental benefits in a soundbite-driven world and why integrating regeneration into mainstream food systems like pasta with 10% seaweed could free up a million hectares of land in Australia alone.As always, if you have questions, feedback, or a story about how you’re reducing food waste, we’d love to hear from you. Drop us an email at foodwastematters@honeyandfox.com.au. And if you want to check out all our previous head to your favourite podcast channel and search for Food Waste Matters.More about Pia: The passionate founder of Venus Shell Systems, Pia has been working across both the marine industry and academia for the past 15 years and has a background in marine systems ecology. Her career has spanned both academic research and industry innovation in the fields of coastal and estuarine ecology, fisheries and sustainable aquaculture systems. Pia’s main research is in marine food production systems that are sustainably integrated with the coastal and marine environment and, as such, her published research efforts span aquaculture and sustainable estuarine systems.Linkshttps://www.venusshellsystems.com.au/https://www.honeyandfox.com.au/https://thegreatunwaste.com.au/https://endfoodwaste.com.au/Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/foodwastematters_podcast/https://www.instagram.com/honey_and_fox/https://www.instagram.com/thegreatunwaste/https://www.instagram.com/endfoodwasteaus/Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/p/Pia-Winberg-100011633761009/https://www.facebook.com/HoneyandFox/https://www.facebook.com/thegreatunwaste/https://www.facebook.com/EndFoodWasteAus/LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/pia-winberg-37049930/?originalSubdomain=auhttps://au.linkedin.com/company/honey-&-fox-pty-ltdhttps://au.linkedin.com/company/endfoodwasteaus
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    29 min
  • S3E8 Behind the farm gate with Melissa Smith, Real Skills Ag Training
    Jun 10 2025
    S3E8: Behind the farm gateIn this episode, we head straight to the paddock withMelissa Smith — farmer, educator, and Churchill Fellow — to unpack on-farm food waste and the practical steps needed to address it.Melissa shares lessons from her international researchtour through Europe and the US, where she explored how global producers manage fruit and vegetable waste. From whole crop purchasing to gleaning programs and secondary markets, Melissa highlights scalable solutions that could benefit Australia’s growers.Key topics include:The $2B+ cost of on-farm food waste in AustraliaHow stronger grower-retailer collaboration can reducewasteGlobal case studies like Tesco’s bumper crop strategyand Right Revival’s full crop buying modelThe role of food rescue organisations and why economic viability must come first for farmersValue-added processing and how growers can transformsurplus into opportunityThe importance of consumer education and slow cultural changeWhy “gleaning” might be the next big step incommunity-driven food recoveryWe also explore Real Skills AG Training, Melissa’s family-run business helping farms build safer, smarter operations through practical training.With just five years left to reach Australia’s goal of halving food waste by 2030, Melissa calls for industry-led action and pilot programs to turn knowledge into measurable change.As always, if you have questions, feedback, or a storyabout how you’re reducing food waste, we’d love to hear from you. Drop us an email at foodwastematters@honeyandfox.com.au. And if you want to check out all our previous head to your favourite podcast channel and search for Food Waste Matters.More about Melissa After growing up in pineapple country on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, Melissa moved to Northwest New South Wales to help run the in-law's cotton and grain farms aroundMungindi. She later owned and managed a commercial passionfruit farm near Yandina.More recently, she has worked with End Food Waste Australia to help food businesses and horticultureenterprises improve their efficiency and profitability by reducing food waste through process improvements. With her extensive experience in agriculture, Melissa understands life "behind the farm gate" and that farmers and food businesses need solutions that are both practical and profitable.LinksAccess the reporthere: https://www.churchilltrust.com.au/fellow/melissa-smith-qld-2023/https://realskillsagtraining.com.au/https://www.honeyandfox.com.au/https://thegreatunwaste.com.au/https://endfoodwaste.com.au/Social Media TagsInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/troy_realskillsagtraining/https://www.instagram.com/foodwastematters_podcast/https://www.instagram.com/honey_and_fox/https://www.instagram.com/thegreatunwaste/https://www.instagram.com/endfoodwasteaus/ Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/RealskillsAgtraininghttps://www.facebook.com/HoneyandFox/https://www.facebook.com/thegreatunwaste/https://www.facebook.com/EndFoodWasteAus/ LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-smith-b9483b17a/?originalSubdomain=auhttps://au.linkedin.com/company/honey-&-fox-pty-ltdhttps://au.linkedin.com/company/endfoodwasteaus YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@troysmith7405https://www.youtube.com/@FoodWasteMatters
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    26 min
  • S3E9 Don't overcomplicate your waste with Natalie Bolt
    Jun 4 2025
    S3E9: Don't overcomplicate your waste with Natalie BoltIn this episode of Food Waste Matters, host Jayne Gallagher sits down with hospitality veteran Natalie Bolt, whose 17+ year global career—from Europe to Asia—took a transformative turn in Indonesia. What began with a drive to cut costs evolved into a passionate crusade against food waste after witnessing stark contrasts between abundance and hunger, and environmental degradation.Natalie shares how her company, Table Food Consultants, helps food service businesses design sustainability into daily operations—not as an afterthought, but as a foundational strategy. She walks us through their three-step framework: conducting simple food waste audits, engineering menusthat account for potential waste, and delivering hands-on workshops that empower teams to turn trimmings into treasure.From turning watermelon rinds into curries to transforming lettuce into dressings, Natalie proves that creativity can cut waste and boost profits. Her philosophy is grounded in the triple bottom line: people, planet, and profit—and she insists that real sustainability must consider all three.We also dive into the bigger picture: how systemic change in education and a sector-specific sustainability framework could transform the future of hospitality. Natalie advocates embedding sustainability training into core hospitality curriculums—so the next generation enters the industry already thinking sustainably.Whether you're a hospitality pro or just sustainability-curious, this episode is packed with insight, practical steps, and inspiration. As always, if you have questions, feedback, or a story about how you’re reducing food waste, we’d love to hearfrom you. Drop us an email at foodwastematters@honeyandfox.com.au. And if you want to check out all our previous head to your favourite podcast channel and search for Food Waste Matters.More about NatalieNatalie Bolt is a hospitality professional with 17 years of experience working across the Middle East, Asia and Europe. While she was always aware of food waste in kitchens, a pivotal moment in Indonesia changed everything. Seeing food thrown out while people starved, followed by plastic-filled oceans and bleached coral, pushed her to take action. A food waste campaign she led reduced costs by 3% and marked the start of her journey into sustainability.Years later, after facing burnout, Natalie recognised that true sustainability in hospitality must balance people, planet and profit. That realisation led her to launch The Table Food Consultants, a consultancy helping businesses make practical, achievable changes that work in real kitchens and real teams.Natalie is known for bridging the gap between sustainability theory and daily hospitality operations, always with a focus on impact over fluff.Linkshttps://www.thetablefoodconsultants.com.au/https://www.thetablefoodconsultants.com.au/resources/https://www.honeyandfox.com.au/https://thegreatunwaste.com.au/https://endfoodwaste.com.au/Social Media TagsInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/thetablefood/https://www.instagram.com/foodwastematters_podcast/https://www.instagram.com/honey_and_fox/https://www.instagram.com/thegreatunwaste/https://www.instagram.com/endfoodwasteaus/ Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/thetablefoodhttps://www.facebook.com/HoneyandFox/https://www.facebook.com/thegreatunwaste/https://www.facebook.com/EndFoodWasteAus/ LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-bolt-5a338a9b/https://au.linkedin.com/company/honey-&-fox-pty-ltdhttps://au.linkedin.com/company/endfoodwasteaus YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@FoodWasteMatters
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    31 min
  • S3E7 Turning waste into an opportunity with Ryan Collins Planet Ark
    May 7 2025
    S3E7 Turning waste into an opportunity with Ryan Collins from Planet ArkIn this episode of Food Waste Matters, host Dr. Joanne Freeman welcomes Ryan Collins from Planet Ark, a leading environmental organisation in Australia. They discuss the crucial role of businesses and communities in reducing food waste, along with the practical resources and initiativesavailable to support them.Ryan highlights Planet Ark’s efforts in promoting sustainability through programs like the Australian Circular Economy Hub (ACE Hub) and the Recycling Near You platform. He explains how these resources help businessestransition towards a circular economy, where food waste can be minimised, repurposed, or recycled effectively.The conversation covers:Why food waste reduction matters its impact on the environment, economy, and businesses.Planet Ark’s initiatives – including business recycling tools, waste audits, and case studies showcasing successful sustainability efforts.Barriers to change – the knowledge gap in businesses about waste management and the importance of clear, jargon-free communication.Behavioural science in sustainability – using positive reinforcement rather than guilt to encourage recyclingand waste reduction.The benefits of composting for businesses from cost savings to environmental improvements.Recycling Near You website recently launched Future initiatives research on business attitudes toward waste.Key Takeaways:Businesses want to reduce waste but often lack the knowledge or resources.Planet Ark provides practical tools and research to help businesses implement sustainable solutions.Behavioural change techniques like positive messaging and employee engagement can improve waste reduction efforts.The ACE Hub portal connects businesses, governments, and experts to collaborate on sustainability solutions. About Ryan: Ryan Collins, is the Head of Impact and Research at Planet Ark. After nearly a decade working in the banking and finance industry, Ryan was drawn to a career in sustainability that saw him work in Sydney, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Fiji in diverse roles such as monitoring and evaluation, threatened species and sustainable agriculture. With a background in psychology and environmental management, Ryan’s role at Planet Ark since 2012 has focused on developing positive environmental behaviour change programs and research that help individuals, businesses, government and schools transition to a circular economy.Linkshttps://planetark.orghttps://businessrecycling.com.au/https://planetark.org/programs/australian-circular-economy-hubhttps://www.honeyandfox.com.au/https://thegreatunwaste.com.au/https://endfoodwaste.com.au/https://recyclingnearyou.com.au/ Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/planetark/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/foodwastematters_podcast/https://www.instagram.com/honey_and_fox/https://www.instagram.com/thegreatunwaste/https://www.instagram.com/endfoodwasteaus/ Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/@planetark/https://www.facebook.com/HoneyandFox/https://www.facebook.com/thegreatunwaste/https://www.facebook.com/EndFoodWasteAus/ LinkedInhttps://au.linkedin.com/company/planetarkhttps://au.linkedin.com/company/honey-&-fox-pty-ltdhttps://au.linkedin.com/company/endfoodwasteaus As always, if you have questions, feedback, or a story about how you’re reducing food waste, we’d love to hear from you. Drop us an email at www.foodwastematters.com.au. And if you want to check out all our previous podcasts head to your favourite podcast platform and search Food Waste Matters.
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    25 min
  • S3E6 More Taste Less Waste with Kelly Johnson Woodlane Orchard
    Apr 23 2025
    More Taste, Less WasteA big congratulations to Kelly Johnson from Woodlane Orchard, who has just taken out the Sustainability Award at this year’s Food South Australia Awards.To celebrate her recent win, we thought it was the perfect time to replay our episode with Kelly from last year where she talks about how Woodlane Orchard came to be, the thinking behind SPhiker, and what drives her commitment to doing things differently.Kelly's business revolves around purchasing surplus produce from local farmers and transforming it into dehydrated products like soups, meals, snacks, and garnishes. Tune in as we chat about:The establishment of Woodlane Orchard and how it was born out of necessity for employment and the realisation of surplus produce going to waste.How Kelly sources her produce directly from farmers, focusing on obtaining "ugly" and second-hand produce that would otherwise be discarded.The reality is that much of the excess fruit that doesn't meet supermarket standards is allowed to rot as farmers can't afford the labour costs associated with harvesting them. Why Woodlane Orchard creates family-sized meals as well as smaller, lightweight meals for hikers and caravanners under the Sphiker brand.Kelly now has a compostable packaging solution, aiming to make her business 100% sustainable in the future.The reason for advocacy towards a local circular economy system where one central hub coordinates the distribution of surplus food among businessesand local industries.This podcast is brought to you by Honey & Fox, where theirpassion is food and the people who produce it. Honey & Fox specialise in getting you in front of the right people, in the right place, at the right time. Find out more at www.honeyandfox.com.au. Bio: Kelly JohnsonAfter 15 years as a Scout Leader, Kelly Johnson knew a thing or two about creating fast, tasty meals that didn’t relyon refrigeration. Drawing on that experience, she launched Woodlane Orchard in 2019 with a clear goal: to make the most of surplus and seconds produce. Based in the Murraylands region of South Australia, Kelly sources locally and transforms what others might overlook into dehydrated soups, meals, snacks and garnishes. Her practical, no-waste approach celebrates local food, supports farmers, and shows that with a bit of creativity, there’s plenty of value inwhat’s left behind. Linkshttps://www.woodlaneorchard.com.au/https://www.sphiker.com.au/https://www.honeyandfox.com.au/https://thegreatunwaste.com.au/https://endfoodwaste.com.au/ Social Media TagsInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/sphiker.com.au/https://www.instagram.com/woodlaneorchard/https://www.instagram.com/foodwastematters_podcast/https://www.instagram.com/honey_and_fox/https://www.instagram.com/thegreatunwaste/https://www.instagram.com/endfoodwasteaus/ Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/woodlaneorchard/https://www.facebook.com/Sphiker/https://www.facebook.com/HoneyandFox/https://www.facebook.com/thegreatunwaste/https://www.facebook.com/EndFoodWasteAus/ LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/woodlane-orchardhttps://au.linkedin.com/company/honey-&-fox-pty-ltdhttps://au.linkedin.com/company/endfoodwasteaus
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    18 min
  • S3E5: Cairns Ecofiesta - fun, friendship & eco inspiration with Dan Walton Cairns EcoFiesta
    Apr 9 2025
    In this episode of Food Waste Matters, we head to the stunning tropical city of Cairns, home to the Great Barrier Reef and the lush wet tropics rainforest. Our guest, Dan Walton, shares insights into Cairns Eco Fiesta—Queensland’s largest sustainability festival—and how it's driving real change in the community.Key Topics Discussed:What is Cairns Eco Fiesta?A free community festival focused on sustainability, running for 10years.Features hands-on workshops, clean technology displays, local food, and interactive family activities.Sustainability Initiatives & Waste Reduction"Wash Against Waste": A large-scale reusable crockerysystem that has dramatically cut event waste.How the festival’s focus has shifted from just recycling to waste uavoidance as the top priority.Mainstreaming Sustainability ("Mainstreaming Green")How making sustainability fun and accessible encourages behaviour change.The role of festivals in spreading eco-friendly practices beyond the core "green" audience.Cairns Council & Regional CollaborationCouncil’s role in supporting sustainable initiatives and providing a platform for community engagement.Partnering with regional councils and environmental agencies to expand Eco Fiesta’s impact.What’s Next for Eco Fiesta?Plans for Eco Week, extending the festival’s reach throughsatellite events.Expanding collaborations and potential new event formats to bring more people into the "sustainability circle."Final Takeaways:Cairns Eco Fiesta proves that sustainability can be engaging,educational, and fun. By prioritising waste avoidance and community participation, it sets a benchmark for eco-conscious events.As always, if you have questions, feedback, or a storyabout how you’re reducing food waste, we’d love to hear from you. Drop us an email at foodwastematters@honeyandfox.com.au. About Dan Walton:Dan is a sustainability officer at Cairns RegionalCouncil. Raised on an off-grid farm in Far North Queensland, Dan has over 20 years experience in local government sustainability and cut his teeth at Tweed Shire Council in Northern NSW. While at Tweed he put the implemented the in the council’s Health Safety and Environment System and ran community programs such as the Tweed Solar Neighbourhood Scheme, household retrofit programs and catchment management education. More recently his work at Cairns Regional Council has included the creation of a Nature-based Learning Grant to help get more school students on excursions to the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest and Cairns Ecofiesta, Council’s main community engagement event around all things sustainable. Linkshttps://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/experience-cairns/events/ecofiestahttps://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/486754/CRC-Wash-Against-Waste.pdfhttps://www.honeyandfox.com.au/https://thegreatunwaste.com.au/https://endfoodwaste.com.au/ Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/honey_and_fox/https://www.instagram.com/foodwastematters_podcast/https://www.instagram.com/endfoodwasteaus/https://www.instagram.com/thegreatunwaste/ Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/EcoEventsCairns/https://www.facebook.com/HoneyandFox/https://www.facebook.com/EndFoodWasteAus/https://www.facebook.com/thegreatunwaste/ LinkedInhttps://au.linkedin.com/company/honey-&-fox-pty-ltdhttps://au.linkedin.com/company/endfoodwasteaus
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    27 min
  • S3E4 There's nothing wrong with seconds with Susan Cornish from Kenton Valley Cherries
    Mar 25 2025
    In this episode of Food Waste Matters, we travel to thepicturesque Adelaide Hills to meet Susan Cornish of Kenton Valley Cherries, a family-owned orchard with six generations of history. Susan shares how her family business is tackling food waste while ensuring their orchard remains financially sustainable.Key Topics Discussed:The Realities of Farming & Food WasteThe high cost of growing, picking, and handling fruit makes reducing waste a necessity, not just an environmental choice.Market specifications from retailers mean that even perfectly edible fruit can be rejected.Value-Adding as a Waste Reduction StrategySusan and her family transform surplus and second-grade cherries and figs into jams, chutneys, and chocolate-coated treats.By offering these products at their on-farm café, they maximise the use of their harvest while creating additional revenue streams.Consumer Perceptions & EducationMany customers are open to purchasing “seconds” when they understand there’s nothing wrong with them.Education about food storage and supporting local growers plays a big role in reducing waste.Industry Challenges & OpportunitiesThe broader industry focuses on increasing first-grade fruit rather than addressing food waste.There is potential for more collaboration and innovation in the sector to improve sustainability efforts.Final Takeaways:Susan’s story demonstrates that reducing food waste is not just about sustainability—it’s also good business. By innovating and adapting, small growers can turn surplus produce into profitable products while engaging consumers in the fight against food waste.As always, if you have questions, feedback, or a story about how you’re reducing food waste, we’d love to hear from you. Drop us an email at foodwastematters@honeyandfox.com.au. About Susan Cornish:Susan is part of the family that owns and operates a 40 hectare cherry and 12 hectare fig orchard with packing facility located in picturesque Kenton Valley between Gumeracha and Lobethal in the Adelaide Hills. The property has been owned and operated by the Cornish family forsix generations and cherries have been grown for export and domestic markets since 1994. Linkshttps://www.kentonvalleycherries.com.au/https://www.honeyandfox.com.au/https://endfoodwaste.com.au/https://thegreatunwaste.com.au/ Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/honey_and_fox/https://www.instagram.com/foodwastematters_podcast/https://www.instagram.com/endfoodwasteaus/https://www.instagram.com/thegreatunwaste/Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/KentonValleyCherries/https://www.facebook.com/HoneyandFox/https://www.facebook.com/EndFoodWasteAus/https://www.facebook.com/thegreatunwaste/ LinkedInhttps://au.linkedin.com/company/honey-&-fox-pty-ltdhttps://au.linkedin.com/company/endfoodwasteaus
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    21 min
  • S3E3_The Biggest Wins
    Mar 12 2025
    Guest: Dr. Steven Lapidge, CEO of End Food Waste AustraliaHost: Jayne Gallagher, Honey and FoxSummary:In this episode of Food Waste Matters, host Jane Gallagher checks in with Dr. Steven Lapidge, CEO of End Food Waste Australia, to discuss recent progress in tackling food waste across the country. Steven shares exciting updates on initiatives such as the Great Unwaste campaign, the Australian Food Pact, and key research findings shaping the fight against food waste.Key Topics Covered:The Great Unwaste Campaign:Launched on the UN’s International Day of Food Loss and Waste Awareness (Sept 29, 2024).A multi-platform campaign (social media, radio, billboards, Netflix ads) aimed at raising awareness.Increased public awareness from 6% to 23% in just five months.Over 100 million impressions and $5 million in earned media coverage.Australian Food Pact Impact Report:A milestone three-year analysis of food waste reduction efforts.13% reduction in food waste among participating food producers and retailers.16,000+ tonnes of food saved and $57 million in costs avoided since 2022.A major shift toward sustainable waste managementTailoring Solutions for Small Businesses:Recognizing the unique challenges faced by SMEs in reducing food waste.Strategies being developed to support smaller food businesses with customized solutions.Leadership Transition:Dr. Lapidge announces his resignation as CEO, transitioning to a board role.A new leader will guide End Food Waste Australia into its next phase of growth.This episode highlights the tangible impact of national food waste initiatives and the importance of continued efforts from businesses, policymakers, and individuals. Dr. Lapidge leaves a lasting legacy in the sector, with the organisation poised for its next phase of innovation and influence.As always, if you have questions, feedback, ora story about how you’re reducing food waste, we’d love to hear from you. Drop us an email at foodwastematters@honeyandfox.com.au. And if you want to check out all our previous podcasts head to www.foodwastematters.com.au.LinksThe Australian Food Pact Impact Report 2024https://www.honeyandfox.com.au/https://endfoodwaste.com.au/https://thegreatunwaste.com.au/Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/honey_and_fox/https://www.instagram.com/foodwastematters_podcast/https://www.instagram.com/endfoodwasteaus/https://www.instagram.com/thegreatunwaste/Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/HoneyandFox/https://www.facebook.com/EndFoodWasteAus/https://www.facebook.com/thegreatunwaste/LinkedInhttps://au.linkedin.com/company/honey-&-fox-pty-ltdhttps://au.linkedin.com/company/endfoodwasteaus
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    19 min