Food Waste

Did you know nearly 10 million tonnes of food is wasted in the UK each year! Food waste is one of the main problems we are facing today. Not all countries are wasteful, but in the UK this is a BIG problem. The UK wastes more than £19 billion worth of food every year. This includes 20 million slices of bread and more than a quarter of all the fruit and vegetables we buy. This is so wasteful and so unacceptable.  Providing food, water and shelter uses up a lot of energy and resources which we only have a limited amount. 

Max La Manna is a zero-waste chef, he uses everything so he can avoid waste. You can find his recipes at Max La Manna for ideas and what he does is brilliant! 

Ways that you can reduce food waste

1. Avoid buying too much - buying too much food that you cannot eat, results in waste.

2. Think twice before throwing away food - if things need throwing away, could they be used for compost? Or could you make some leftover food? Check best before dates, even if date is out check if item is still fresh and usable. 

3. Always make a shopping list - only buy what you need.

4. Organise your kitchen - check your pantry / fridge / larder to use all items closer to the expiry date first.

5. Store food correctly - this is so you avoid spoilage. 

6. Make a weekly menu - this will help you buy what you need, organise and cut back on waste. 

7. Freeze extras - freeze food that you can use later.

8. Eat leftovers - use this food for another day.

9. Packed lunches - not only avoids food waste you can also save money.

There are several benefits for reducing food waste not only for the environment but also for the individual. Even by cutting food waste by half, this would help the environment by reducing the need for land, water and other resources needed to grow food. 

We use a lot of natural resources from the world that the animals and creatures need; which we are wasting when they are in need of them. Think twice about the impact you are having on the world when you are shopping for food.