Introduction to Reducing Food Waste
Food waste is a hot topic that we don’t see stopping any time soon. It is a serious global issue that affects our environment, our economy, and society. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), approximately one-third of all food produced for human consumption is wasted every year. This waste is not just about the food itself; it’s about the resources that go into the production. This includes water, energy, labour, and transportation. For example, it takes about 1,800 gallons of water to produce just one pound of beef. When that beef goes uneaten, so does the water that was used to produce it.
Understand the Impact of Food Waste
All of these contribute to greenhouse gas emissions when food is discarded. When food decomposes in landfills, it produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas that is more harmful than carbon dioxide. Greenhouse gases are those that are most implicated in global warming and climate change. The leachate (gross liquid gunk) that gets released at landfills as things break down can be horrific for the surrounding environment. Moreover, to get closer to home, in Australia, 7.6 million tonnes of food is wasted annually. That works out as 312kg per person. This equates to about $2500 per household per year! Madness. Here’s a link if you’re interested in finding out more.
Reducing food waste is about more than environmental concerns; there are a lot of moral discussions in the mix. If we all made more conscious decisions to minimise our own personal waste, we could save money and reduce our carbon footprint. It would ensure that resources are used more efficiently while not depriving communities whose landscapes get altered by Western appetites.
Whether it’s in a business setting or at home, every small effort counts. Yes, yes, we know the arguments about how big businesses are the serious problem here, but we’re keen advocates for everybody doing their bit. Lead by example and all that.
How We at Dizzy Spit Roasts Keep Food Waste at a Minimum
At Dizzy Spit Roasts, we are deeply committed to minimising food waste in our operations. Here are some of the methods we use in our spit roast catering packages:
- Accurate Food Ordering: We have developed systems over our 10 years of experience to ensure we order just the right amount of food for each event. By carefully calculating portions based on the number of guests and their specified preferences, we minimise excess, ensuring that waste is kept to a minimum.
- Perishable Food Management: We don’t hold perishable food stock. Instead, we order fresh ingredients specifically for each event. This reduces the risk of spoilage and ensures that the food we serve is as fresh as possible.
- Boneless Meats: To maximise the amount of edible food served and minimise waste, we use boneless meats rather than traditional whole beasts. This approach not only reduces waste but also ensures that our clients get the most value from our service. Ease of serving is an added bonus!
- Composting: All our food scraps are composted, contributing to a sustainable cycle. Composting is an excellent way to return nutrients to the soil, reducing the environmental impact of food waste.
- Client Takeaways: Any leftover food from our events is packaged for the client to take home. This cuts waste and means that our clients can enjoy our delicious food even after the event is over. Super helpful if your interest in cooking is at a low ebb after a big party!
Ways to Reduce Food Waste at Home
Reducing food waste at home is a simple yet effective way to contribute to a more sustainable future. Here are nine practical tips to help you get started:
1. Smart Shopping
One of the most effective ways to reduce food waste is to shop smartly. Start by creating a shopping list before you head to the store. A well-thought-out list will help you avoid impulse purchases and ensure that you only buy what you need. This is really helpful if you don’t love supermarkets and chuck anything you can see in the trolley just to get the job done.
For the serious shopping pros amongst you, if you know the layout of your supermarket, group your list by aisle. It saves a lot of faffing around and going back on yourself, and picking up more unnecessary stuff along the way! Another tip is to shop more frequently but with smaller lists. This approach allows you to buy fresh produce that you’ll use within a few days. This reduces the likelihood of it spoiling before you get a chance to use it. It allows more flexibility in your food choices, too. Some supermarkets publish times of when they go around stickering produce that they are reducing to clear – particularly helpful for any students in your life.
Don’t shy away from imperfect produce, either. “Ugly” fruits and vegetables are just as nutritious as their more aesthetically pleasing counterparts and are often sold at a discount. By choosing these items, you’re helping to reduce the amount of food that gets wasted simply because it doesn’t look perfect.
Get wise to the tricks of the trade. Here are some sneaky supermarket tricks they deploy to get you to buy more stuff. If the deals are on long-life produce, that’s not such a big deal, but when it is produce with a short date, that’s sly.
2. Proper Food Storage
Proper food storage is key to extending the freshness of your groceries. Fruits, vegetables, and other perishables can last much longer if stored correctly. For example, leafy greens should be stored in a crisper drawer, while fruits like apples and oranges do well in the fridge. Use airtight containers to store leftovers, and consider freezing items that you won’t use right away. Proper refrigeration and freezing can significantly extend the shelf life of your food. Don’t always believe what your freezer guide tells you, either. Although the general quality of food might start to degrade if it has been in the freezer longer than the little chart on the door tells you is ok, it isn’t going to do you any harm.
Label your food with dates to track what needs to be used first, and rotate your fridge stocks. This practice helps you stay organized and ensures that you consume your food before it goes bad.
3. Preserve Food Through Canning and Pickling
Grandma knows best! Canning and pickling are excellent ways to preserve fruits, vegetables, and other perishables, allowing you to enjoy seasonal produce year-round. Learning the basics of canning and pickling can help you extend the shelf life of your food, reducing waste and saving money. Plus, homemade pickles, jams, and preserves can add variety to your meals, making them more enjoyable.
There are whole bunch of recipes if that all sounds too time consuming or messy. We’re big fans of a quick pickle to bring a quick hit of flavour to your recipes. We’re sure you can’t have missed the surge in popularity of fermented foods like kimchi. Super good for your gut health and an excellent way of using up any veg that has started looking a bit sorry for itself.
Preserving food through these methods also allows you to make the most of your garden harvests or bulk purchases. Instead of letting excess produce go to waste, turn it into something delicious for later use.
4. Meal Planning
Meal planning is an effective strategy for reducing food waste. By planning your meals ahead of time, you can ensure that you use up all the ingredients you have to hand. Start by taking inventory of what you already have in your pantry and fridge, then plan meals that incorporate those ingredients before moving on to newer, interesting things.
Cooking in batches and freezing leftovers for later use is another great way to reduce waste. This approach not only saves time but also ensures that you always have a home-cooked meal ready to go, even on busy days. Incorporate “leftover nights” into your weekly meal plan to use up any remaining food before it goes bad.
5. Creative Cooking
Get creative in the kitchen to reduce food waste. There are countless recipes that make use of leftovers or food scraps, such as soups, casseroles, and curries. For example, vegetable scraps can be used to make a flavourful homemade broth, while stale bread can be turned into croutons or bread pudding.
Overripe fruits can be used in smoothies, baked goods, or jams. By finding new ways to use food that might otherwise be discarded, you can reduce waste and create delicious meals in the process. You’d be surprised by how many fruit and veg you can use straight from frozen without impacting the taste of the recipe. Citrus and tomatoes, for example, are excellent grated into sauces straight from frozen
6. Portion Control
Serving appropriate portions is another effective way to reduce food waste. By being mindful of how much food you serve, you can avoid uneaten leftovers that end up in the trash. This also helps to avoid overeating, and all that entails. Using smaller plates can help manage portion sizes, as it encourages you to take less food at a time.
If you find that you often have leftovers, try serving smaller portions and allowing people to take seconds if they’re still hungry. This approach ensures that everyone gets enough to eat without creating unnecessary waste.
7. Composting Your Food Waste
Composting is a fantastic way to reduce food waste and contribute to a healthier environment. By composting food scraps, you can turn waste into nutrient-rich soil that can be used in your garden. This not only reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills but also helps improve soil health.
Starting a compost bin at home is easier than you might think. You can compost a wide range of items, including fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, and yard waste. However, it’s important to know what can and cannot be composted. Avoid composting meat, dairy, and oily foods, as these can attract pests and create odours. Here are some helpful tips if you think composting is for you but don’t know where to start.
8. Donate Excess Food
If you have excess food that you can’t use, consider donating it to a local food bank or charity. Many organisations accept non-perishable items, as well as fresh produce from gardens. By donating food, you can help feed those in need and reduce waste at the same time. There are apps out there that make this process even easier.
Organising a community food drive is another way to make a positive impact. Encourage your friends, family, and neighbours to donate their excess food to a local charity, helping to ensure that no food goes to waste. Churches, schools and community groups will often run food drives too, just keep your eyes peeled for information or ask around.
9. Educate and Involve Others
Raising awareness about food waste is essential for creating lasting change. Start by educating your household about the importance of reducing food waste and involving everyone in the process. Teach your children about sustainability and the impact of food waste on the environment. Engaging them in activities like composting, meal planning, and creative cooking can help instill good habits that will last a lifetime. In our experience, the kids are way ahead of the curve in terms of understanding recycling and similar issues. Obviously they are, they’ve been raised with it! There is still a bit of a blind spot when it comes to food waste though.
You can also extend your efforts beyond your household by raising awareness in your community. Share tips on reducing food waste with friends and neighbours and you could consider organising workshops or events to educate others on the topic. The more people who are aware of the issue, the greater the collective impact will be. You might discover that your neighbourhood has a communal composting area or runs its own excess food sharing group for example.
Conclusion
Reducing food waste is a crucial step toward creating a more sustainable future. By making small changes in our daily lives, we can significantly reduce the amount of food that goes to waste. At Dizzy Spit Roasts, we’ve already implemented practices like accurate food ordering, composting, and client takeaways. These minimise waste in our own operations, and can be applied at home as well.
Remember, every little bit helps. Start with small steps and gradually adopt more practices to reduce food waste. Together, we can make a big difference in protecting our environment, saving money, and ensuring that our resources are used wisely. The collective impact of reducing food waste can create a more sustainable and equitable world for future generations.