7 ways to reduce food wastage

Globally, around one-third of all food produced is lost or wasted, which not only squanders resources like water, energy, and labour but also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. The 29th September is the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, highlighting the importance of reducing food loss and waste as a crucial part of achieving sustainability. However, adopting this route of preserving your food can also save you a lot of money on groceries, and means you can get creative with your tasty leftovers.

Here are 7 practical ways you can reduce food waste and preserve your food, saving a little money in the process:

1. Plan your meals

• Plan your meals for the week before grocery shopping. Make a shopping list and stick to it to avoid buying unnecessary items.
• Benefit: This prevents impulse purchases and ensures you only buy what you’ll use, reducing the risk of food spoiling before you can eat it.

2. Proper storage techniques

• Learn how to store different types of food properly. For example, keep potatoes, onions, and garlic in a cool, dark place; store leafy greens in the fridge wrapped in a damp paper towel.
• Benefit: Proper storage extends the shelf life of food, keeping it fresh longer and reducing waste.

3. Use leftovers creatively

• Reinvent leftovers into new meals. For instance, use last night’s roast chicken in a salad or sandwich the next day, or turn leftover vegetables into a soup or stir-fry.
• Benefit: This minimises waste by ensuring all food is consumed, even in different forms.

4. Embrace “ugly” and “wonky” produce

• Purchase imperfect fruits and vegetables that might otherwise go to waste. These are just as nutritious and are often less expensive, but are frequently discarded due to cosmetic flaws.
• Benefit: Reducing food waste at the source, helping to save perfectly edible food from being thrown out and saving money on your produce purchases.

5. First In, First Out (FIFO)

• Organise your pantry and fridge so that older items are at the front, and new items go to the back. Use the older products first.
• Benefit: This prevents items from being forgotten and expiring before they’re used.

6. Freeze excess food

• If you have more fresh food than you can use before it spoils, freeze it. Most fruits, vegetables, and even cooked meals freeze well.
• Benefit: Freezing food extends its life, allowing you to enjoy it later and reduce waste.

7. Compost scraps

• Compost food scraps like vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, and eggshells instead of throwing them away.
• Benefit: Composting reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and creates a nutrient-rich soil amendment for gardens.

These simple steps can have a significant impact on reducing food waste, preserving resources, and promoting a more sustainable lifestyle.