Oxfordshire-based Joan Cooper has won Best Eco Pantry in the first-ever Pantry of the Year competition.

The competition was launched to encourage the nation to make 2023 the ‘Year of the Refill’ and stock their pantries sustainably.

Mrs Cooper, from Abingdon, impressed judges with her stock of home-grown, hand-made jams and chutneys from her garden all packed in reused containers.

Over 95 pantries were entered for the contest run by organic food delivery company Abel and Cole, with three prizes for best small space pantry, best eco pantry and best budget pantry.

Mrs Cooper said: “We’re lucky being retired we have the time to play our part in keeping plastic use to a minimum.

"Our approach is to really think about how our actions can impact the planet and we do our best to help minimise our footprint on it, so animals, insects and plants all get a look in.

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"We really want the younger generations to be able to enjoy nature as we did.”

Mrs Cooper's pantry is filled with produce from the garden and stocked with jars of jams and chutneys made from raspberries, strawberries, onions, tomatoes, courgettes and beetroot.

Professional organiser and TV host Dilly Carter, who was one of the judges, said: “I’ve got a bit of a pantry passion myself so had a lot of fun going through all the entries.

"What I particularly loved was that it wasn’t just about the most ‘fancy’ or aesthetically pleasing space - practicality and sustainability were essential.

“It was so lovely to see my tips being incorporated into so many of the pantries too – I’m such a sucker for well labelled containers!”

Each of the winners received £750 in cash and £250 to spend on Abel & Cole’s Club Zero expanded refillable delivery service.

Hannah Shipton, Managing Director at Abel & Cole and competition judge, added: “We received so many amazing entries from people doing their bit to reduce their single-use plastic waste.

“Our winners have shown how having a pantry is so environmentally friendly.

"By organising your food, you’re going to know what you’re running short of, and having a fully stocked kitchen means the recipes are endless.

"We hope to make this an annual competition so, for anyone that missed out this year, start getting your pantry ready!”

 

 

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