This and That: Reducing Food Waste Vol I

Reducing Food Waste

Vol I

Avoid buying too much

If you’re anything like me, you get anxious seeing a depleting pantry. I probably lived through the great depression in a past life! But maybe a lot of you like to socialise and want to be able to whip up a quick meal even if you have unexpected guests. Or there’s the fear of inflation and rising costs, or the uncertainty of availability in the current times. Our reasons might be any, but it may not always be a wise decision to stock up in anticipation.

I like to keep my dry pantry full so that I don’t have to rush to the store every time I want to cook/ bake. That habit often becomes evident in my fridge as well – stocking large quantities of vegetables and fruits. This leads to leftovers (which leads to whining family members) and at times unnecessary wastage of food. Sometimes these items are forgotten at the back of shelves and end up getting thrown away after they’re way past expiry.

Here are some ways to break the habit

· For a few weeks, keep a log of the food that you buy and throw away. Note what, how much, why it was thrown, and the cost of this wastage. That might inspire you to buy less and sensibly
· Buy what you will eat. If you don’t see yourself cooking the food that you’re buying in the next 10 days, give it a second thought. Before going shopping, make a list including quantities and stick to it. Ask yourself, as my daughter says, “is it something you want or something you need” before you buy it
· Start with a time limit for yourself in the store. Be in and out within that time limit.
· Check expiration dates. Don’t buy items too close to expiry
· Freeze what you can’t use immediately. Food lasts longer in the freezer and there is no reason to feel guilty about it. Milk, butter, bread, blanched vegetables, well roasted gravies, whole spices, dry fruits, all can be frozen. Surprisingly, ice cream can’t be frozen very long – it starts to get icy and gets a weird after taste. Keeping the food well labelled with the oldest food in the front, is more efficient too. Do not forget to keep checking and using up freezer items, though. I note down every item on every shelf, in the fridge and pantry, so that the next time I open the storage, I’ll know exactly what’s in there
· If your leafy greens seem to be wilting, don’t toss them out. Soak in a bowl of ice-cold water to revive them.
· Compost if you’re up to it. There are a lot of hassle-free composting units now available in the market (5 Best Compost Bins For Home In India - Home Composting Made Easy (gardentroubles.com) or 11 Indoor Compost Bins For A Low Waste Household (sustainablejungle.com)) This will also give you nutrients for your balcony garden. Think of the greenhouse gases you will help reduce by not sending food waste to landfills
· Make a rule where you will not buy more produce till you have finished everything that is in your fridge. This will also make you use up everything more creatively (more on that in a later post)
· Never shop when you’re hungry! When you’re hungry, EVERYTHING looks good
· Don’t buy multiple items just because they’re on sale or BOGO and you feel you’re saving a buck. Think of the money you’ll save by NOT buying them or not having to throw them away later.
· If you want to buy a fancy ingredient for a dish you want to make, think of other ways you may be able to use it. If you can’t, think of substitute for that ingredient. There often will be

It might not be possible to follow all the tips mentioned above, but start with those you feel are the easiest and then work your way up. Let this year’s resolution be to feel even better about yourself!