Staffordshire residents are being encouraged to enjoy the Halloween season while making the most of their pumpkins, with some simple tips to help reduce food waste and recycle what is left over.
The county council is reminding families that pumpkins are for more than just carving, with the flesh and seeds offering plenty of opportunities for tasty autumn recipes before the decorations go on display.
The seasonal campaign comes as families across the county head to pumpkin patches, including Lower Drayton Farm near Penkridge, where visitors can pick their own pumpkins and enjoy a range of Halloween activities.
The farm's popular PYO Pumpkins event runs until Saturday 31 October, giving visitors the chance to choose pumpkins straight from the field, explore Pumpkin Village and get creative in a special indoor carving barn.
And while pumpkin picking and carving are all part of the Halloween fun, the county council is encouraging residents to think about what happens to their pumpkins both before and after the celebrations.
Rather than throwing away the flesh scooped out during carving, families can use it to make homemade soups, pies, cakes and other seasonal treats. Pumpkin seeds can also be roasted for a tasty nutritious snack.
Once Halloween is over, any pumpkin that can no longer be eaten can be chopped up and placed in a household food waste caddy, where the local collection service is available, rather than being thrown into the general rubbish bin.
Andrew Mynors, Staffordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Connectivity, said:
Halloween is a fantastic time of year for families, and pumpkin picking and carving have become a much-loved tradition for many people across Staffordshire.
But there's so much more to a pumpkin than just a spooky face. The flesh we scoop out can make some delicious autumn meals, and even the seeds can be roasted and enjoyed.
We want people to have fun and make the most of their pumpkins, but also to think about what happens to them afterwards.
By using what we can and putting the rest in our food waste caddies, we're making a real difference. Food waste collected separately can be turned into renewable energy and fertiliser for farms and open spaces, rather than going into our general rubbish."
Richard Bower, farmer at award winning Lower Drayton Farm, said:
Pumpkin picking is one of our favourite times of year at Lower Drayton Farm. It's lovely seeing families getting out into the countryside, choosing their own pumpkins and making special Halloween memories together.
We grow pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, and this year visitors can also pick fresh seasonal vegetables and enjoy carving their pumpkins here at the farm.
As farmers, we know how much work goes into growing food, so it's great to encourage families to make the most of what they take home. Whether that's cooking something delicious with their pumpkin or recycling what they can't use, it's a simple way to enjoy Halloween while reducing waste."
The council's message is part of its wider food waste campaign, encouraging households across Staffordshire to waste less food and make regular use of their new weekly food waste recycling service.
Food waste collected separately is processed to produce renewable energy and nutrient-rich fertiliser, helping turn everyday food scraps into something useful.
Residents are also reminded to remove candles, lights and any other non-food decorations from carved pumpkins before recycling them. Larger pumpkins should be chopped into manageable pieces so they fit safely inside food waste caddies.
Lower Drayton Farm's PYO Pumpkins event continues daily until Saturday 31 October, with special Pumpkins After Dark evenings on Friday 23 and Friday 30 October.
For more information about the pumpkin picking event, including tickets and activities, visit www.lowerdraytonfarm.co.uk/pumpkins/.
For practical advice on reducing food waste and using household food waste caddies, visit www.staffordshire.gov.uk/foodwaste
