Feeding the 5000 in Trafalgar Square

Sarah Allan

18 November 2011

As a Londoner, I've been in Trafalgar Square many times. But never before has that involved being offered a free veggie curry, free bananas and free apple juice. And never before have I been asked to feed four live pigs happily munching on apple pulp by the National Gallery.

What was going on? I had gone down to Trafalgar Square, with other Friends of the Earth staff and volunteers, to support Feeding the 5000 - an event highlighting the 16 million tonnes of food we waste in Britain every year.

And it was quite a sight. Mounds of wonky carrots and mis-shapen potatoes (in perfect condition but too ugly for supermarkets), 5000 people queuing up for a free lunch (made from food that would otherwise have been wasted) ...and, of course, the pigs.

Yes, we'd taken four live pigs* with us to show first-hand the amount of so-called waste that could be safely fed to farm animals.

And people loved them. Adults and children alike helped feed the pigs apple pulp. Even the Bishop of London came over to lend a hand.

It was a great opportunity to get them to sign our food waste petition and to explain how feeding farm animals suitable food waste** could reduce the amount of animal feed we import from abroad.

People were shocked to find out that the feeds we import are causing massive deforestation and human suffering in South America. Including people being thrown off their land, the destruction of vital wildlife habitat, species extinction and huge increases in carbon emissions.

Hundreds of people signed our petition to Government, asking them to help divert suitable food waste for animal feed. And even if you couldn't join us today, by signing the petition you can still take part.

*The pigs usually travel round schools, so they weren't distressed by the bustle in the Square.
** Like bread, fruit and vegetables from manufacturers and retailers.

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