Do you find yourself throwing away a lot of food each week? Not only is this frustrating, but it is also a waste of money. On top of this, food waste is bad for the environment both in terms of going to landfill but also producing harmful greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. In a time when the cost of living is rising and environmental damage is a major issue, it is important that people know how to reduce their food waste. Read on to find out how.
- Store Food Correctly
Often, food spoils because it is not stored properly. Read storage instructions for every item to know how it should be stored at home to maximize its shelf life. Products like tomatoes can usually last slightly longer in the fridge, but this can impair the taste ever so slightly.
- Use FIFO
FIFO stands for first in, first out and it is a smart way to avoid food waste. Essentially, this involves using up the products that you buy first to prevent them from turning. This should involve placing newer packages behind the old ones so that you always take out the items that are older.
- Plan in Advance
You can often avoid throwing out food with proper meal planning. Plan what you are going to eat each week so that you do not end up buying food that will go off before you use it. Foods like lettuce do not last long, so you should only buy this if you plan to use it that week.
- Keep a Log of Food That Spoils Regularly
You should also pay attention to see if there is a type of food that you consistently throw away. You can then change your shopping habits so that you can cut down on food waste whether this is buying a smaller version of the item or only buying it on the day that you plan on using it.
- Make Stock
You should also know that you can make use of lots of scraps by turning them into stock, which will save you from buying your own and should provide a better flavour. Vegetable scraps and meat bones can be used to make homemade stock and this should greatly improve your cooking. You can use pressure cookers to make stock and this will be faster than in a regular pot.
- Avoid Eating Out
People often end up throwing away food because they eat out or order takeaway instead of what they eat at home. You should try to make use of the food that you have at home to prevent this (this will also help you to save money).
These are 6 of the best ways to reduce food waste, which will help you to save money and reduce your environmental impact.
