I currently work for a non profit, which rescues food and provides for those in need. Second Harvest in the largest food rescue in Canada. Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to interview with Radio Canada (the french subsidiary of CBC) about food waste. About 60% of food in Canada is wasted or lost during a year.
The amount of food waste produced globally each year is more than enough to feed the nearly 1 billion hungry people in the world.
I have drafted a list of 10 habits that you can add to your day to day. You can use these at home or at work
1. Shop Smart
Plan your meals, write a grocery list. Buy things that you will actually consume. Only buy items that you know
2. Buy exactly what you need
Plan out your recipes and see what you need. Avoid buying in bulk and let it go to waste.
3. Buy Funny Looking Produce
Many fruits and vegetables are thrown away because their size, shape, or colors don’t quite match what we think these items “should” look like. But for the most part these items are perfectly good to eat
4. Have a Back Up Plan
If your dinner plans have been cancelled ; come up with a backup recipe and use it in a different dish .
5. Practice FIFO
It stands for First In, First Out. When unpacking groceries, move older products to the front of the fridge/freezer/pantry and put new products in the back. This way, you’re more likely to use up the older stuff before it expires.
6. Designate one dinner each week as a “use it up” meal
Instead of cooking a new meal, look around in the cupboards and fridge for leftovers and other food that might otherwise get overlooked
7. Eat Leftovers!
Leftovers are your best friend. Brown-bag them for work or school for a free packed lunch. If you don’t want to eat leftovers the day after they’re cooked, freeze and for later.
8. Preserve your produce properly
Produce doesn’t have to be thrown out just because it’s reaching the end of its peak. Soft fruit can be used in smoothies; wilting vegetables can be used in soups, etc. And both wilting fruits and veggies can be turned into delicious recipes.
9. Can it and Pickle it!
Both fruits and vegetables can be preserved through an easy pickling process.
10. Share your food!
When you have made way to much food; don’t hesitate to share your food with friends and family
