C O M M U N I T Y T I P S
How do you prevent food waste?
Food waste. Partly unavoidable. But nevertheless the no. 1 climate solution according to Project Drawdown. And as consumers, we have a role to play.
We asked some of our fans how they prevent food waste. Here are their tips. Add your top tips in the comments.
Kim: check eggs
Fill a clear glass with water and carefully lower the egg into it. Do they:
...lie flat on the bottom, then you have a fresh egg.
...lie on the bottom, with the point upright, then they are a number of works old, but still fine to eat.
...float, then unfortunately they are spoiled and you can no longer eat them.
Marja: stick to quantities
It is actually quite well known, but….
Stick to the quantities per person that are advised and necessary.
Try to weigh everything well.
Fork Ranger team 💬: note that our advised pasta servings are quite large (100 g per person), so if you eat smaller portions stick to 75 g per person.
Marlijn: rethink leftovers
A mini bit of rice from dinner can be put back in a burrito, half an onion goes into the next wok and we shake up the last lick of mayo from the pot as salad dressing.
When I think about how I used to throw the leftovers from my dinner plate into the trash, it probably makes a big difference! (And, a bit dirty, but even food from my plate just goes back into the pan haha)
Karen: buy when needed
I try to empty my fridge before buying more.
I put meat in the freezer and thaw it the day I'm going to use it or the day before.
I try to do my shopping after dinner, then there is a smaller chance that I'll buy food that's not on my list.
What are your tips? Leave them in the comment section below👇
It's a really hard thing to tackle, so let's share with each other what we've found that worked. It might be just the right thing for someone else.
No bread waste
Store bread in the freezer and only get out what you need. It defrosts on a plate on the worktop in about 10 mins.
Any fresh bread that is no longer fresh can be grilled as toast with some melted cheese and tomato or spread herb butter on it (then you have herby/garlic bread). You can also toast it and use it to dip in the soup.
I make a weekly food plan (according to our family calendar – who is at home on which day) and make my weekly shopping list from that. I save any bits that can be used in other dishes (such as half an onion, or tomato puree). On the 7th day, my fridge is almost empty, and I make my next meal plan according to what needs to be used up and eaten.