Reducing Household Food Waste: Expert Tips and Strategies

Food waste is a significant global issue, with households contributing about 30% of total food waste. However, there are many practical steps we can take to reduce waste and save money. In this article, we'll explore expert insights from CLA Nella, managing director of WRAP Asia Pacific, on how to tackle food waste at home and throughout the supply chain.

Understanding Food Waste

Food waste refers to any edible food that ends up in the bin. In Australia, about 70% of food thrown away from homes could have been eaten. This includes:

• Moldy bread
• Limp salad
• Sad carrots at the back of the fridge
• Cheese thrown away after its best-before date

Wasting food is essentially throwing money in the bin. The average Australian household wastes about $2,500 worth of food every year.

The Supply Chain and Food Waste

While households play a significant role in food waste, it's important to understand the entire supply chain:

Primary Production

Australia grows enough food to feed about 60 million people, despite having a population of only 26 million. However, much of this food never leaves the farm due to various reasons:

• Pests and diseases
• Bad weather
• Cosmetic specifications set by retailers
• Lack of proper contracts between farmers and buyers

Cold Chain

Australia's vast size and hot climate make the cold chain crucial for transporting fresh produce. However, there are challenges:

• Limited cold chain capacity compared to other developed countries
• Poor practices, such as leaving refrigerated transport doors open during unloading

Retail and Manufacturing

Retailers play a significant role in influencing food waste both up and down the supply chain:

• Setting cosmetic standards for produce
• Determining prices and product selection
• Influencing consumer behavior through packaging, date labeling, and storage advice

Strategies to Reduce Household Food Waste

Here are some practical tips to help reduce food waste at home:

1. Set Your Fridge Temperature Correctly

Ensure your fridge is set at 5°C or less. This simple step can significantly extend the life of your food.

2. Meal Planning

Take some time each week to plan your meals. This helps you:

• Shop with a purpose
• Avoid buying unnecessary items
• Check your fridge and pantry before shopping

3. Use Your Phone Camera

Before shopping, take quick photos of your fridge and pantry shelves. This allows you to check what you already have while at the store.

4. Store Fresh Produce Properly

Keep most fresh fruits and vegetables in the fridge. For example, apples can last up to eight times longer when refrigerated.

5. Embrace Your Freezer

Your freezer is a powerful tool in reducing food waste:

• Freeze bread to extend its life
• Make breadcrumbs from stale bread and freeze them
• Freeze cheese, milk, and even leftover wine for cooking
• Use frozen vegetables for convenience and to reduce waste

6. Get Creative with Leftovers

Use online resources or AI tools to find recipes that use up ingredients you have on hand.

7. Understand Date Labels

Know the difference between "use by" (safety) and "best before" (quality) dates. Food is often safe to eat after the best-before date.

Systemic Approaches to Reducing Food Waste

Reducing food waste requires action at all levels:

Government and Policy Makers

• Support initiatives like the Australian Food Pact
• Invest in research on behavior change
• Implement policies that encourage food waste reduction

Retailers and Manufacturers

• Improve packaging to extend food life (e.g., resealable cheese packs)
• Provide clear storage advice on packaging
• Shift from "buy one, get one free" offers to half-price deals
• Join initiatives like the Australian Food Pact

Consumers

• Be aware of food waste in your home
• Implement small changes to reduce waste
• Share knowledge and encourage others to reduce waste

The Role of Social Norms

Changing social norms around food waste is crucial. As people become more conscious of food waste and its impacts, it becomes less socially acceptable to throw away edible food.

Innovative Approaches and Technologies

While technology can play a role in reducing food waste (e.g., apps for recipe suggestions based on available ingredients), the most important factor is implementing known solutions at scale.

Conclusion

Reducing household food waste is a challenge that requires action from individuals, businesses, and policymakers. By implementing simple strategies at home and supporting systemic changes, we can significantly reduce food waste, save money, and contribute to a more sustainable food system.

Remember, it's not about being perfect – even small changes can make a big difference. Start with one or two strategies and gradually incorporate more as they become habits. Together, we can create a world where wasting food is no longer the norm.

Article created from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iupKog7HjDw