{"id":2924,"date":"2015-05-14T06:40:44","date_gmt":"2015-05-14T06:40:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.yousaytomatocooking.com\/?p=2924"},"modified":"2022-11-17T15:40:09","modified_gmt":"2022-11-17T15:40:09","slug":"reduce-food-waste","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cookwithgem.com\/tips\/reduce-food-waste\/","title":{"rendered":"food waste – 5 easy ways to stop throwing food and money away"},"content":{"rendered":"

Food waste is a big issue – not only on an environmental scale but on our personal finances. Below I share my tips for how to reduce food waste and get the maximum from your grocery budget so that you eat well for less.<\/p>\n

I like to start the week with an empty fridge so I know I’ve not wasted anything. Food waste sends me bonkers. On a basic level I hate the thought of wasting money on food I don’t eat. The only reason I can afford to buy good quality organic ingredients and well-raised meat and fish is because, hand on heart, none of it is wasted.<\/p>\n

Most Sundays I make a ‘clear the fridge’ soup. I don’t follow a recipe but I use it as an excuse to empty my fridge, give it a good wipe and make something from the odds and ends that are in there.<\/p>\n

On a higher level, I hate the thought of all the wasted resources spent growing\/making and transporting that food only for it to end up in the trash. We throw away a third of the food that we produce globally, in the US it is 40%. Just horrible. Near where we live in California we can drive past field upon field of crops being grown with precious water and being picked by people who are bent over in the searing sun all day. I think of them when I have food that I’m not sure what to do with. I rarely throw anything away and I’d love it if you could try to join me in reducing food waste.<\/p>\n

How I minimise food waste:<\/h3>\n

1. Menu plan, menu plan, menu plan <\/strong><\/p>\n

If I buy things without a menu plan, I buy things I don’t need. If I buy things I don’t need, I don’t use them. Simple.<\/p>\n

2. Sunday clear out<\/strong><\/p>\n

On Sunday or whatever day you grocery shop (and we’ve spoken about only doing it once a week haven’t we?) go into your fridge. Pull out all your perishable stuff (dairy, deli stuff, fruit and veg etc) and have a good look at what you have. When your fridge is pretty empty, give the shelves a quick wipe with some hot soapy water or an antibac wipe. I bet you can make another day or two of meals (and a save a chunk of your budget) from what you have. If you have a store cupboard that is pretty well stocked with pasta, beans and flavour-boosters then you should be able to create something easily. I tend to make:<\/p>\n