MUM FINED £150 FOR KALE LEAF IN SUPERMARKET TROLLEY

Monica Serro was issued a £150 fine by Gedling Borough Council for a kale leaf left in a trolley at Sainsbury's car park in Arnold, Nottingham, on 11 June. An enforcement officer approached Serro as she was returning the trolley after collecting food donations from the supermarket. Serro stated the leaf had become wedged between the trolley's metal frame and that she had not noticed it. The officer classified the leaf as food waste and issued the fixed penalty notice.

Serro had spent the day collecting surplus food from local supermarkets to distribute free to vulnerable people in her community through Olio, a food-sharing scheme. She reported that supermarket staff had provided no bags when loading a trolley full of vegetables and bread, and the rain had made the transfer to her mother's vehicle difficult without additional packaging. When the enforcement officer approached, Serro said she showed him the kale leaf and explained she was a volunteer collecting food for the community. The officer maintained that using a bin would have been appropriate.

Serro stated the fine was inconsistent with efforts to reduce food waste in the community. Gedling Borough Council did not provide a statement to press outlets regarding the circumstances or the decision to issue the penalty. The fine represents the council's standard fixed penalty amount for littering offences.