Preventing wasted food

Food waste has become a habit for many people throughout the world. Examples include buying more food than we need at markets, letting fruits and vegetables decay at home, and taking larger portions than we can consume.

These practices harm the ecosystem and put further demand on our natural resources. When we throw away food, we squander the time, money, and resources that went into its production (such as water, seeds, feed, etc.), as well as the resources used in its transit and processing. Simply said, food waste raises greenhouse gas emissions and plays a role in climate change.

It's a significant problem. In actuality, tonnes of edible food are wasted or lost every day in the world. A little more than 14% of all food produced worldwide is lost between harvest and retail alone. Large amounts of food are also wasted at the consumer or retail level.

Food loss refers to the portion of food that is lost from harvest up to but excluding, the retail level. Food waste is the portion that is lost at the retail or consumer level.

In a world where millions of people struggle with hunger every day, reducing food loss and waste is crucial. When we eliminate waste, we respect the fact that food is not a given for the millions of people who go hungry every day.

It's up to us to alter our behaviours such that wasting food becomes second nature!

Here are some quick things you can do to get back in touch with food and what it represents:

Change to a more sustainable, healthier diet.

Fast-paced living makes it difficult to prepare wholesome meals, but this doesn't mean they have to be complicated. You may share simple, healthy recipes from the internet with your family and friends.

Buy only what you require.

Create a meal plan. Make a list for your shopping and stick to it to prevent impulse purchases. You'll waste less food and spend less money as a result.

Understanding food labels

The distinction between "use-by" and "best before" dates is substantial. The "use-by" date indicates when food is no longer safe to consume, but sometimes food is still okay to eat after the "best before" date. Avoid foods with extra sugar or salt, and read food labels carefully for undesirable components like trans fats and preservatives.

Utilize your food waste.

Composting food leftovers is a better option than throwing them away. By doing this, you replenish the soil's nutrients and lessen your carbon footprint.

Encourage regional food producers.

You can help local family farmers and small businesses by purchasing locally grown food. By shortening trucks and other vehicle delivery routes, you also contribute to the fight against pollution.

Maintain healthy fish populations.

Eat more fish that is more readily available, such as mackerel or herring, rather than overfished fish, like cod or tuna. Purchase responsibly caught or farmed fish, such as fish with an eco-label or certification.

Use less water.

Food production is impossible without water! While farmers must use less water to grow food, cutting down on food waste also helps to conserve the water used to produce it. You can also reduce your water consumption by repairing leaks or turning off the faucets.

Editorial Team

Spruce up