Reduce Food Waste Tips For You (2024)

Between harvest and retail alone, around 15 percent of all food produced is wasted.

Producing food involves water usage, electricity, transport and much more. When we throw away food, we don’t only discard it, but we also waste all the resources used previously to make that food.

Follow these simple tips to help reduce food waste, be more environmentally friendly and save money.

1. Adopt a healthier and more sustainable diet:
   Choose foods from the five core food groups and cut back on processed and packaged foods.
2. Buy only what is needed:
   Plan your meals and write shopping list. This great habit saves you time, money and makes it easy to organise dinner. Visit Superhero Foods for a free meal planner.
3. Pick “ugly” fruit and vegetables:
   Choose from the “odd bunch’’ or the “reject fruit and veg” area at your local shop. These odd-shaped fruit and veg are just as healthy and tasty, and once chopped or grated, you can’t tell the difference! Freeze your black bananas for smoothies (take the skin off first!), and stew your soft apples with cinnamon to make a delicious apple sauce.
4. Store food wisely:
   Rotate the food in your fridge, freezer and pantry so the older items are at the front and are used first. Have a look at the “use-by date” and “best before date” as the latter is still safe to eat after the suggested date. Cook or freeze those that are close to the use-by date.
5. Eat Smart:
   Dish out smaller portions at home or choose entrée size at the restaurant. Freeze left-overs or have them for lunch the day after. Ask for a “doggy” bag to take left overs home after eating out to eat the next day.
6. Put your food waste to use:
   Instead of throwing away your food scraps, compost them or give them to friends who have chickens, ducks or a worm farm.
7. Support local food producers:
   By buying local produce, you support family farmers and small businesses in your community. You also help fight pollution by reducing food miles.
8. Share and give away:
   Donate food that would otherwise be wasted. For example, ask family members, friends and neighbours if they would like to share your food or donate to food relief organisations like Foodbank WA.