Food wastage is a major issue in today’s society. Not only does it negatively impact our budgets, but it’s also terrible for the planet and takes the food that spoils away from others who could use it. But how do we combat it?
On a community level, it’s quite tricky, but within your own home, these seven tips will make a world of difference:
Have The Right Equipment
The first key to avoiding food wastage is to ensure your kitchen is stocked with the best equipment. Food is often thrown out because a meal tastes bad, which is a completely avoidable situation as long as you follow the recipe and use the right tools. We’re fans of induction cookware as it tends to be high quality, feature non-stick properties, and offers great value for money.
Check Use By Dates
Pretty much any business that sells food uses a FIFO (first in, first out) method when stocking shelves or serving meals. This is a great way to reduce waste on their part, but it can mean that the things you bring home from the shops may not last as long as you would hope.
If you’re going to use the items you’re purchasing within the next couple of days, feel free to grab the ones from the front of the shelf. However, if something is going to be stored for longer, always check to ensure that it’ll get used before it spoils.
Always Use A Shopping List
Supermarkets are designed to encourage us to buy things we don’t need, so having a list is your best defence when it comes to stopping food wastage within the home. It can’t spoil in your fridge or end up in the bin if you never bring it home in the first place. We suggest checking your pantry and fridge as this allows you to shop for recipes that use the items you already have, thus helping to further reduce waste.
Meal Prep
Another great way to minimise food waste is to meal prep. By cooking in bulk and eating meals as you need them, you’ll gain a better idea of what’s actually in your fridge, as individual portions are a lot easier to manage than separate ingredients. This is also a great time-saver, making it a win on multiple fronts.
Freeze Leftovers
If you think you won’t finish the meals you’ve prepared before they go bad, or you’ve simply got some leftovers one night, your freezer is your best friend. While there are obviously some foods that cannot be frozen, the vast majority can be. So, this is an easy way to wave goodbye to food wastage.
Get Creative In The Kitchen
If a recipe calls for half a can of tomatoes or a quarter of a cup of cream, it’s easy to forget about those leftover ingredients until they’ve long since gone bad. To avoid this, Google what you can make with them and get creative in the kitchen. Bonus points if you can cook a whole meal with what’s already sitting in your fridge and pantry.
Start Composting
Finally, because there are some parts of certain foods that simply must be wasted (think eggshells and vegetable peels), establishing a composting system is an excellent way to further reduce your food waste.
These tips may not seem like they’d have a massive impact, but every step in the right direction is a good one. Share your food waste minimization tricks in the comments, and have yourself a wonderfully green day!
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