Jeff Coates was our speaker on 3 May. Representing “Rotters”, a North Yorkshire Council sponsored consumer group, his talk “Love Food, Hate Waste” was well received. Household food waste is either unavoidable, such as peelings and from meal preparation, in which case composting is important. Or it is avoidable. The amount of food we buy is one matter; excessive reliance of “use by” dates is another. In the wider background is the extent of land and resources used for meat production, set against that needed for vegetables and cereals. His advice on composting was particularly informative and helpful.