Food waste is increasingly becoming a more pressing problem than many people realize. In actuality, almost one-third of all the food produced in the contemporary world is wasted for various reasons. That roughly equates to approximately 1.3 billion tons per year.
Leaving stats aside, tossing edible food is not only a matter of wasting money; the discarded food in landfills rots and produces methane gas – the second most common greenhouse gas.
While these reasons mentioned above overwhelm you, I’m discussing 10 easy ways to reduce food waste smartly.
1. Shop Smart
Undeniably, most people, especially in the Middle East tend to buy more food than they actually need.
Although buying food in bulk may be convenient for some, research has shown that this practice leads to more food wastage.
In order not to buy more than the actual need, have a list of items and make frequent trips to the grocery store every third day, rather than buying in bulk once a week.
Or you can rely on JMB – the pre-cut vegetables & fruits online UAE company, providing all kinds of essential, healthy raw food ingredients at your doorstep.
2. Store Food Correctly
The second common reason for food wastage is not being sure about how to store vegetables and fruits, leading to premature ripening and rotten produce.
For example, cucumbers, onions, potatoes, and tomatoes should never be refrigerated, rather kept at room temperature.
3. Learn to Preserve
People might consider fermenting and pickling as new fads; food preservation has been used for thousands of years.
Canning, pickling, fermenting, and freezing are all methods you can use to make your favorite food last longer, leading to a reduction in waste.
For instance, storing an excess of ripe apples and converting them into applesauce, or pickling carrots from the store will provide you with a long-lasting mouthwatering treat that even kids will enjoy.
4. Keep Your food storage Clutter-Free
There’s a saying, “out of sight, out of mind.” This rings exclusively when it comes to food.
Yes, there can be some benefits to a well-stocked fridge, an overly stocked fridge can be a reason for food waste.
A feasible way to stock your food storage is by using the FIFO method, “first in, first out.”
For instance, when you buy a new pack of strawberries, place the newer one behind the old one. This method will help you ensure that older food gets used, not wasted.
5. Save Leftovers
Many people tend to save excess food from large meals, which, however, is often forgotten and then tossed when it goes rotten.
Therefore, when you cook a lot and have leftovers, you should designate a day to utilize the accumulated food in the fridge. Not to mention, it saves you time and money!
The Bottom Line
There are other good ways you can find to reduce and reuse your food leftovers.
But following the above practices will not only help you waste less food, but also save you money and time.
And for any reason, if you still think you cannot simply stop wasting food, make a list of your items and buy your daily needs from JMB. This company is a masterpiece, providing all kinds of fresh & health precut vegetables and fruits online so that you can contribute to a positive change to conserve some of the earth’s most valuable resources.