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This is the time of year when there’s always an overabundance of food left over from Christmas and New Year. It’s a great time to change some habits and reduce food waste in your kitchen.
I have vivid memories of my grandfather giving us a lecture at every meal. It would start with: “Make sure that you’re eating all the food on your plate, as there are so many starving people in the world that we should be very grateful for what we have.” Times haven’t changed since the 1950s and 1960s. The plight of starving people has only increased, but so has the food waste we put in our garbage bins each week.
By following some of the following suggestions, not only will you reduce your food waste but you will save money as well.
Shop in Smaller Amounts
Plan Meals in Advance: Write down meals for the week and create a shopping list based on exact ingredients to avoid overbuying. A tip is to use our Versatile Essentials for the Pantry to ensure you have all the basics in your pantry to start with.
Buy Loose Produce: Opt for loose fruits and vegetables so you can purchase the exact amount you need.
Look for Seasonal Produce: When produce is in season, it’s at its freshest. It will ripen better and keep much longer. It also hasn’t been treated with different preservative methods, so it’s much better for you.
Use Smaller Trolleys or Baskets: This encourages you to stick to your list and avoid impulse purchases.
Shop More Frequently: Instead of a weekly haul, consider smaller trips to restock fresh items.
Preserving Excess Food
Freeze Leftovers: Portion out meals or ingredients and freeze them for future use.
Pickling and Fermentation: Extend the life of vegetables by pickling or fermenting them into tangy snacks or condiments.
Vacuum Sealing: Remove air from storage bags to keep food fresh for longer in the freezer or fridge.
Dehydrate or Dry Food: Use a dehydrator or oven to make dried fruits, veggies, or herbs.
Replant the Bottoms of Some Vegetables: A perfect example is spring onions, garlic, or shallots. By replanting the base of these, they’ll continue to grow and provide you with more food.
Keeping Food From Spoiling
Store Produce Properly: Learn where to store fruits and veggies—like keeping bananas and avocados separate to avoid quick ripening.
Organise Your Fridge: Place older items at the front and new items at the back to ensure nothing gets forgotten. Date containers so you don’t have to rely on your memory.
Check Expiry Dates: Use food with sooner expiry dates first and plan meals around them.
Use Airtight Containers: Store pantry staples like grains, nuts, and spices in sealed containers to prevent moisture and pests.
Compost Scraps: If food is too far gone, compost it instead of tossing it into the bin.
Prepare Food for Storage: Washing and putting your food into separate plastic airtight containers will double their shelf life.
What only takes a few minutes of preparation will end up saving you money.
♥️