Thursday, 29th October 2020

Why Cutting Food Wastage Is Important

Food waste is a global issue. The latest statistics show that reducing food waste by just a quarter would ensure there was enough food for everyone, yet we still waste a significant portion of what is produced.

Thankfully, there are lots of clever ways for families to cut their own food waste significantly, and as this blog will demonstrate, they’re not just ecologically beneficial, but can also help make your budget stretch a little further, too

Research shows householders throw away on average 30% of the food produce they buy; a sobering statistic when tied to the knowledge that hunger is still very much an issue for many throughout the world, including a return to food poverty and growing reliance upon foodbanks amongst some of the poorest in society.

Ways to cut your food waste

1. The British Heart Foundation suggests freezing vegetables, fruit, dairy and leftovers – whilst some vegetables don’t deal with freezing as well as others, they can still be pureed and made into delicious soups or additions for desserts. Dairy products take to freezing exceptionally well, helping to extend their shorter defrosted shelf-life.
2. Take a few tips from the food industry professionals and pay close attention to what ‘use by’ and ‘sell by’ labels truly mean. Whilst some products do indeed need to be used by a set date, a ‘sell by’ label generally means something quite different, and could just mean an item is no longer considered to be as aesthetically pleasing on shop shelves. It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s no longer safe to use, and by grabbing products with a shorter shelf life, you can get hold of some amazing low-cost ingredients to freeze or use fresh
3. Measure portion sizes to ensure you don’t put too much on your plate. This is a great way to cut food waste at source as you’ll be less likely to scoop a sizeable chunk of your meals into the bin, and more likely to save them for use later.
4. Plan ahead to ensure you create practicable menus which provide adequate nutrition and great taste without creating waste. Sticking to a shopping list and meal planning in advance helps to avoid buying unnecessary ingredients which could end up going to waste.

Whether maintaining a spreadsheet of meal plans or using a clever app like MealPlanner, making a plan and using the tips in this article can provide a simple domestic solution to the issue of food waste.