A Killarney food waste expert is encouraging people to be more conscious of what they buy and cook during National BBQ Week, which runs until June 1.

New data from Too Good To Go reveals that significant amounts of barbecued food end up in Irish bins. According to their research, the top items wasted from BBQs include salad (31%), coleslaw (30%), bread rolls (26%), sausages (20%), and burgers (17%). Half of Irish adults admit to overestimating how much food is needed, while other reasons for waste include food spoiling and unused portions.
Machaela O'Leary, a Killarney native working with Too Good To Go, said:
“BBQ’s are a summer favourite but they can also be one of the biggest food waste culprits! From overestimating portions to forgetting what’s in the fridge, so much good food ends up in the bin. BBQ Week is a great reminder that with a little planning, we can all waste less and enjoy more. From bread rolls to sausages, we’re still throwing away too much. Irish households waste up to €374 worth of food each year — and National BBQ week is a great time to be more conscious of this. A few small tweaks in your BBQ routine can help us save food, save money and still enjoy the best of summer.”
She highlighted that Irish households waste a considerable amount of food each year, and BBQ Week is a good time to be more aware of this.
For those planning a barbecue in Kerry, O'Leary pointed out that local partners like J.M. Reidy’s and Café Du Parc Killarney, along with Aldi, My Patrik’s Bakery, Centra Farranfore, and Spar Tralee, often have Surprise Bags available on the Too Good To Go app. These bags offer unsold food at a reduced price, helping to reduce waste.
Too Good To Go also provided tips for saving leftover BBQ food, such as cooling and freezing food quickly, using vacuum sealers, repurposing leftovers in new meals, and even toasting old burger buns.
Too Good To Go is a global company focused on reducing food waste through its marketplace app.