As much as delicious meals are top of mind when it comes to festive celebrations, we all need to make space to be considerate of food waste—our gift to the earth.
South Africa (19 November 2024) — While foodie dreams and menu options are top of mind for many over the festive period, ways to tackle food waste left behind unfortunately don’t have the same reputation of importance.
As much as we might be looking forward to trying and tasting delicious recipes, we must save some space for food waste consciousness. It’s an effort that might seem small. But in the bigger picture, it helps minimise carbon emissions, resource strain and the effects of climate change.
6 Top Tips to Tackle Food Waste!
1. Plan Meals Meticulously
Plan your meals in advance to avoid overbuying. Make sure you have a shopping list handy so that you can hold yourself accountable and purchase only what you need.
2. Buy Locally and Seasonally
By supporting local suppliers, you’re also supporting the reduction of the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transportation, while buying seasonally helps curb food waste by preventing excess food production.
3. Take Your Storage Seriously
Storing food correctly can extend its shelf life. Making sure that your refrigerated items are kept under the correct temperatures and using the first-in, first-out method are super helpful ways to tackle food waste in the comfort of your own home. Plus, they’re great tools for organisation!
4. Portion Control for a Purpose
Sometimes, our eyes are bigger than our stomachs, especially when it comes to serving guests. Your best bet to tackle food waste, in this sense, is to serve smaller portions first and allow guests to help themselves more if they so choose.
5. Make Leftover Food Marvellous
There are scores of creative recipes online that’ll turn your leftovers into new and exciting dishes, saving them a trip to the trash can. Simply search for the specific ingredients you need help spicing up, and let the internet do its thing!
6. Home Composting
Food scraps don’t need to head off to the trash can. Composting good scraps offers a great alternative to landfill waste and creates a nutrient-rich compost that can be used to nourish new plants and gardens!
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