Let’s Play the Hand

Inflationary increases in salaries and wages are negotiated with employees using headline inflation as an indicator (currently 5.9%). It has been reported that the Consumer Price Index for food inflation is in the proximity of 6.7%. The mismatch between these two indicators creates the “out of pocket” scenario that we are all too familiar with in our monthly struggles to payday. Unfortunately, we do not have control over the surge in the Brent crude oil price or the electricity hikes. We are therefore compelled to “cover” this deficit by changing the composition of our monthly food basket. From scrutiny of the March 2022 Household Food Index, this would entail the replacement of a couple of portions of protein (beef, chicken, liver, eggs) with peanut butter and jam sandwiches. With obesity on the rise in South Africa, we have to put our heads together to find ways of fighting malnutrition at home and in the workplace. The word on everyone’s lips these days is “Sustainability” and an impeccably timed response to the dilemma faced by so many households. Let us think of ways to reduce food waste and decrease our food print. Let us talk about ways of saving money by living sustainably.

Living sustainably is the act of reducing your “Carbon footprint”, in other words, it is reducing your personal and societal impact on the environment. Finding alternative ways to source your food or planning better to ensure it lasts longer is a great way to start. Here are 2 quick tips to kick-start your sustainable living.

1. Grow your own fruit and vegetables. This will not only save you money but it will ensure you are putting fresh healthy food on the table.
2. Minimise your food waste. This can be done by planning better, preserving more foods, and freezing your leftovers. This will force you to fully maximise your groceries and keep your food budget low.??