Running our homes more efficiently means cutting down on the sheer amount of food waste that we create every year. Food waste is a global problem and did you know that almost one third of all food produced is wasted or left to spoil? Organic matter left to rot in landfill sites accounts for 20% of all methane emissions which contribute to climate change. Here are steps we can take to reduce the amount of waste we create:
- Dont over-serve
Our eyes are very often bigger than our stomachs so dont think you need to serve up gigantic restaurant-sized portions every night. If you dont trust yourself then buy some smaller plates and encourage yourself to only serve what you realistically think you can eat. Family members might moan to begin with but when you see clean plates and no food waste, youll know youve done the right thing.
- Shop Smart
Dont buy too much food when you go grocery shopping. This might seem obvious but supermarkets have a clever way of enticing you in with deals on bulk buying. If it helps, plan out meals in advance so you know exactly what ingredients you need to buy before you hit the shop. This will require some discipline as its hard not to be distracted and stick rigidly to a list. Try a visit to your local farmers market instead for locally grown and sourced food and less distraction from major brands.
- Smart Storage
To help prevent spoiling, learn the best places to store your food. Some food would actually benefit from being at room temperature and not stored in the fridge. There are some great resources online to show you the best places to store all kinds of food and to help veggies and fruit last longer.
- Leftovers
If you do cook too much food then make sure you actually save it as leftovers and eat it. Buy some containers, label your leftovers with the date, store in the refrigerator or freezer and make them a part of your weekly menu. Warming up leftovers for lunch the following day is a perfect way to reduce food waste and save money! For inspiring Food Recipes, Go to Food-tales for great recipe ideas
- Tidy Cupboards
If your pantry, fridge or kitchen cupboards are in a state of disarray then its harder to see what youve got and what needs to be used up before going out of date. Items hidden at the back of cupboards and fridges will expire so that when we do find them, they have to be thrown out which is a huge waste. When you buy new groceries, try moving older produce to the front of the fridge or cupboard so they can be used up first.
- Keep Note
If you can, keep a waste log. Note down everything that gets thrown out so you can see where changes perhaps need to be made in the way you cook or shop. Add on an estimated cost of what youve thrown away and that will soon have you thinking of ways to cut down on wastage!
