Sir - Helen Peacocke definitely has the right idea. Her article Let's work to reduce food waste in 2008 (Weekend, December 28) is a rallying call for all those of us who would like to see sense prevail: an end to waste at home and in the supermarket. Practices by businesses and consumers alike contribute to the sinful situation where perfectly good food is being thrown away. And the pity is, it all adds to the cost.

Helen helpfully suggests some of the ways we can act individually. But there's a pressing need for Oxford to take the lead as a city, too. For some time the Community Caterers Network has campaigned for a local Foodbank that would provide a mechanism for diverting food from landfill to those who need it most. Food that cannot be sold on the High Street because of imperfect packaging or a marketing campaign that has backfired will be passed on to poor families and homeless people. It's a simple idea that has caught on elsewhere, and we hope it will begin to take shape here very soon.

Visit the new website at http://oxfordfoodbank.kk5.org for more details. You will learn more about our plans and ways in which you can become involved.

Andrew W Smith, Project director, the Gatehouse and treasurer, Community Caterers Network, Oxford