Effective Food Storage Strategies for Reducing Food Waste

In a world where food costs are rising and we are all becoming more mindful of unnecessary waste in our lives, making a concerted effort to be more careful with how you consume is becoming essential. The good news is that you need only make a few tweaks to make some big differences. Here are some of Nutrifresh’s top practical tips for reducing food waste and helping you become a food hero in the comfort of your home.

LESS WASTE, MORE TASTE 

Did you know that food waste accounts for up to 20% of landfill? Simply buying less fresh food to start with should be the first port of call, but there are other clever ways in which keen cooks can be creative in order to reduce their impact on the environment.

• Make a plan: Meal planning is the cornerstone of every savvy cook’s life – once a week, sit down and plan your meals for the following week and stick to your plan.
• Shop to eat: By planning your meals and making a shopping list to avoid impulse buys. This practice not only reduces food waste but also saves you money in the long run.
• No to plastics: By shopping at your local farmer’s market and by taking your own bags for food to your local supermarket, you immediately contribute towards decreasing waste and landfill – the less packaging the better.
• Embrace the imperfect:  It’s important to not judge food by its appearance – It is perfectly okay to use oddly shaped or bruised fruits and vegetables in smoothies, juices, and desserts. They taste just as nice and contain exactly the same nutrients and goodness that the perfectly shaped ones would have!

CONSCIOUS COOKING

Cook once, eat twice: A large pot of bolognaise on Sunday night and then reheated in the microwave a couple of days later. Likewise, an extra roast chicken can be shredded and stored for easy salads and family lunchboxes.

Root to Leaf & Nose to Tail: Next time you peel vegetables for a casserole, freeze those peels! Likewise, Parmesan rinds, chicken carcasses and excess chopped onions and herbs. When you have enough frozen ingredients, throw them all together to make a rich and hearty stock. Citrus peels can be used to infuse your favourite drinks too!

Bowl food: The advent of the Buddha Bowl has made clearing out the fridge an on-trend event! Rather than throwing away loose vegetables or lone meat cuts, cook and serve them as a deliciously varied dish. This will also look perfect in our round Borosilicate Glass Storage Container.

Love your leftovers: Freeze leftovers for later use or incorporate them into new meals. By reducing waste and maximising ingredient usage, you can save yourself some coins on your next grocery shop. Or better yet, find yourself a reimagined meal using the same food as last weekend!

INVEST IN QUALITY

Invest in items that can be used for more than one application – our Airclip Glass Containers can be used to cook food in the oven and then easily stored in the fridge or freezer. Items such as our Mixing Bowl and Grater Set are perfect for everything from pasta to fruit salads. Be sure to look out for cooking essentials that you know you will help to make your life easier in the kitchen. Check out the Nutrifresh Compact Soup Maker, the perfect solution for batch cooking soups.