According to the United Nations, one-third of the food produced in the world for human consumption is lost or wasted each year. This amounts to about 1.3 billion tons of food, causing a significant impact on both the environment and the economy. Reducing food waste is a key ingredient in fighting hunger, saving resources and improving the environment. Here are 7 easy ways to help reduce your food waste and make a difference.
1. Don’t be Afraid of Ugly Fruits and Vegetables
One of the most common causes of food waste is the simple fact that many people are put off by the appearance of fruits and vegetables. However, oddly-shaped produce is perfectly safe to eat, and is often just as healthy and delicious as the ‘prettier’ alternatives. By choosing to buy and eat ‘ugly’ fruits and vegetables, you can help to reduce the amount of perfectly good food that is wasted because of its imperfect appearance.
2. Keep Track of What You Have
Make sure to keep track of what you have in your fridge and pantry. This will help to prevent you from buying too much food and accidentally letting it go to waste. Use an inventory list to keep track of what ingredients you have in stock, and when they will expire. This will help you to make the most efficient use of your food and prevent it from going to waste.
3. Plan Your Meals
Planning your meals ahead of time can help to ensure that you are using the ingredients in your kitchen in the most efficient way possible. Make a meal plan for the week, and create a shopping list that only includes the ingredients that you need for your meals. This will help to reduce the amount of food you waste because you will only buy what you actually need.
4. Freeze Your Leftovers
Don’t let your leftovers go to waste! Instead, freeze them and they can last for up to three months. This will help to ensure that you have food on hand when you need it, and you won’t have to worry about throwing out food that has gone bad.
5. Compost
Composting is a great way to reduce the amount of food waste that you produce. It’s an effective way of recycling organic materials, and can help to create nutrient-rich soil for your garden. There are many different ways to compost, so make sure to do your research and find the best solution for you.
6. Donate Your Excess Food
If you have extra food that you don’t think you’ll be able to eat before it goes bad, consider donating it to a food bank or soup kitchen. This is a great way to reduce your food waste and help those in need.
7. Buy in Bulk
Buying in bulk can help to reduce food waste by ensuring that you only buy what you need and don’t end up with too much. This is especially true for items that have long shelf lives, such as grains and canned goods. Just make sure that you are able to use the food before it expires, and that you have a system in place to track when items will expire.
Reducing food waste is essential for protecting the environment and fighting hunger. These 7 easy steps can help you to reduce your own food waste and make a difference.
