Families spend a fifth of their food budget – more than $1,468 (£1,200) each year – on snacks.
A study of 1,800 UK adults found households whose kids, aged under 18, are still at home munch through 1,872 snacks each year.
And parents estimate 21 percent of their weekly shopping is spent just on nibbles.
Although 53 percent feel they’re stuck in a ‘snack rut’ as they typically buy the same things to tuck into.
Not being able to think of anything different to buy and some members of the family being fussy were among the reasons parents felt they were stuck in the snacking doldrums.
The research was commissioned by savoury cracker brand Jacob’s, which has partnered with EastEnders actor, Jac Jossa, and ‘waste disruptor’ chef, Martyn Odell, to launch the Less Waste More Taste Snackademy.
This is designed to help families save money and reduce food waste by being more resourceful with their snacks.
It comes after the study also revealed 49 percent of parents throw uneaten food away, with 47 percent admitting it is often still edible.
Although 53 percent feel guilty about doing so.
Mom-of-two, Jac Jossa, said: “As a busy mom, there are sometimes moments when it’s easier to grab ready-made snacks, especially on a day when the kids are being fussy or want to eat different things.
“However, I’ve learned some really easy, tasty and quick recipes made from the stuff in the back of the fridge or cupboard that everyone can have up their sleeve.
“Using up these ingredients can help to reduce food waste and save money throughout the year.
“I’m really excited to be launching the Jacob’s Snackademy with Martyn to help inspire families to turn their leftovers into tasty snacks.”
The study also found that of those who throw away food that could still be eaten, 44 percent regularly bin leftovers from previous meals.
While 37 percent don’t get through all the fresh fruit they buy, and 36 percent have the same problem with veg, the study via OnePoll found.
But a third have thrown away food because they bought too much, and it went out of date before it was consumed.
And 41 percent throw away food because they have left items to go stale with packets opened for too long.
A quarter of those polled also admitted they don’t know what to do with a small amount of food left over – so chuck it out instead.
Sustainable chef, Martyn Odell, said: “One of the best ways to fight food waste is to be more resourceful with the food you have.
“The recipes I’ve created all showcase how, with just a humble cracker, you can quickly knock up fresh and delicious snacks using food you already have at home.
“The snacks are a great way to use up all those little bits and bobs leftover in your fridge that you may not know what to do with and so often throw away.”
Kate Stokes, for Jacob’s, said: “We’re on a mission to help families achieve less waste and more taste by showing how they can turn food which would otherwise go to waste into delicious snacks, transforming food found in the average fridge.
“The Less Waste, More Taste Snackademy is just one way in which we’re helping families to tackle food waste and supports our partnership with FareShare to redistribute the equivalent of 40,000 meals to help fight hunger.”
Produced in association with SWNS Talker
