Five ways to eat sustainably and reduce food waste

World Food Day is celebrated every year on 16th October. It honours the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organisation. Now World Food Day raises awareness for those suffering from hunger. This day has become important for us to think about our food consumption and what it could mean for others.

Every year, we waste around 9.5 million tonnes of food in the UK. We have enough resources available to feed every person on the planet. Yet, reports indicate that 821 million people still experience undernourishment.

By 2030, world leaders have decided to implement a change to end hunger. In this blog, we’re going to show you how to play your part in the mission towards reducing food waste.

• Reports indicate that 66 million primary school children go to school hungry each day. 
• Households waste a third of all food. 

These numbers may seem daunting but we can all play a part in being less wasteful. Here are some of the ways you can help the planet and save money:

Make a meal plan and a shopping list. When you make your shopping list, keep notes of the food that you bought previously that went to waste. Was it a waste because no one in the household likes to eat it or do you need to buy it in a smaller portion?

Once you’re aware of what you’re wasting, you can decide on whether to buy it again. This can also help you with budgeting. Sign up and download our free weekly budget planner which includes a meal planner and groceries list template.

Did you know you can freeze many foods, such as bread and certain fruits like apples, and then reheat them to make them last? If you use your freezer, your food will last longer and still taste great. Some food, however, is unsuitable for freezing because of its high water content. Below, we've written a small list of produce that you can and cannot freeze.

• bread
• cheese
• ginger and garlic
• apples
• milk
• eggs
• brown rice
• ...and many more!

• yoghurt
• breaded and fried food
• potatoes
• cooked pasta and rice
• canned food

If you're unsure about a certain food or ingredient, it's always best to check online before you decide to freeze it.

To avoid waste, buy loose food instead of packs. This is certainly helpful when you combine it with keeping track of your shopping lists. Packs of fruit and veg can be tempting as they are often good value for money, but if you don't use all of them, it works out to be more expensive. Always go for loose food first if you're unsure how much you need to use.

Sometimes we can all be...ambitious with our portion sizes, and not all of us make the most out of leftovers. If you’re someone who simply cannot stand to reheat food, then there are ways you can plan ahead. If you measure out your portions before you cook your food, you’ll know how much is too much. You can make a note for next time if you have too little/much.

There are so many ways to cook with what you already have:

• Transform leftover meat and vegetables into a hearty soup.
• Discover new pairings for your dinner. Ran out of pasta? Try making your dish with the random pack of cous cous you've had in your cupboard for ages and see if you like it.
• Experiment with new flavours, try your usual dessert with different fruits or biscuits!
• Try new ways to eat. Why not have a 'tapas night' of all the leftovers in the fridge?
• Explore websites like BBC Food to find new recipes. You can type in the ingredients that you have to find suggestions.

Experimenting with new creative dishes can also be a fun way to relax and learn new skills.

...always keep in mind your environmental footprint and the ripple effect this can have on others. Sustainable cooking and eating are incredibly important. You can have a significant impact on food waste, whether just for yourself or even local communities.

We have lots of cooking and baking courses where you can learn dishes from around the world or master how to bake a cake. All our courses are designed for all levels, with friendly tutors. 

Start your journey today take a look at our cooking and baking courses.