What exactly is your beef?

Chris Beech, of Chris Beech Quality Meats in Walkley, made the stand after a recent survey by the Sheffield social enterprise group found that people in the UK throw away 34,000 tonnes of beef every year - the equivalent of 300 million burgers or 150 million steaks.

The startling figure, which is worth £260 million annually, was found to be a result of people not planning meals in advance, understanding date labels and storing their food correctly.

Now Chris, along with the LFHW team, hopes to encourage the people of Sheffield - who voted spaghetti bolognese and a roast beef dinner among their favourite meals - to make better use of their beef, with their Meaty Issues campaign.

Chris, who is based at the Beeches of Walkley farm shop, said: “Beef is a very versatile meat – there are lots of different cuts and joints to choose from, which is why it remains very popular. There are also lots of ways to make it go further - using up leftovers, utilising unused portions in a wide range of recipes or freezing it for future use, so there’s no real excuse for wasting it .

“By speaking to your local butcher, you can make sure you buy the best type and quantity of beef to suit your needs, get advice about preparation and storage, and ensure you get the best value for money.”

According to the new poll, 22 per cent of Sheffield residents who bought beef said it had gone to waste as they had left it to go past the use by date or they’d thrown it out after leaving it uncovered or in an open pack.

Visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/meaty-issues for tips on making the best of your beef.