Cutting Down on Food Waste

Food waste is a bigger problem than we think

It really is a much larger problem than we realise. Not only in our homes of course but locally and globally.

It is estimated that over a billion tons of food get wasted worldwide each year for various reasons. This is approximately o third of what is produced.

In the U.K. according to WRAP figures, we throw away 6.6 million tonnes of household food waste per year.

If you would like to learn more do visit https://wrap.org.uk/sites/files/wrap/Food_%20surplus_and_waste_in_the_UK_key_facts_Jan_2020.pdf

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/reduce-food-waste#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2

Now we may not be able to save the planet but we can save money and do what we can to prevent waste in our own homes.

This really is not difficult.

I will keep this simple. Others can add their methods to the list as well of course as I only speak for what I do.

1. Portion sizes – get these down to a fine art so you cook the right amount. Weigh them to start with.
2. Extra portions-freeze them for another day. Label them.
3. Menu plan around what you already have open/started/expiring
4. Store foods correctly according to type.
5. Bits and pieces in the fridge are great for making soups and risottos-just about anything can be used up including lettuce.
6. Don’t overbuy fresh fruit and veg-this often ends up wasted. If you change your plans-prep it-blanch it-and freeze it.
7. Vegetable peeling-wash and freeze for soups
8. I don’t often peel my veg because I describe myself as a “lazy cook”.
9. For portioning potato quantities, prep your potatoes, and on a plate make a pile for one serving-repeat as necessary then add one or two potatoes to the pan.
10. Many fruit oddments are suitable to add to overnight oats or to make a crumble.
11. I freeze whole bananas in their skins if bought reduced and going brown. I eat them partially thawed like ice cream. Just gently slide along the length of the skin to remove the banana.
12. Grapes will freeze. Nice to eat half frozen.
13. Bread oddments-zap these into breadcrumbs and freeze to coat scotch eggs, chicken, top pasta bakes etc.
14. Bits of cake-use these in a trifle.
15. Chicken carcass-boil, strain, remove meat for soups, stirfrys, curries, risottos or even your cat. I use it for sandwiches too-I pick out the bones of course. The broth is a good stock for other things and can be frozen.
16. Bits of meat such as beef or chicken, whizzed up with a bit off butter, mayo, tomato puree or sundried tomatoes make a sandwich spread
17. Leftover chickpeas make hummus
18. bits of jam is good on toast or in a bread and butter pudding
19. When you do all of these things there really is nothing left to waste.