Cost of Living: 7 ways to combat food waste in your home

Nigeria is currently facing an economic crisis, which has led to high food prices and reduced purchasing power for many individuals. Yet amid the situation, food waste remains a significant issue in many households.

Food waste occurs when edible food is thrown away. It has severe environmental and economic impacts, including greenhouse gas emissions and wasted resources like water and energy.

In a typical Nigerian home, several factors contribute to food waste. They include the following:

1. Serving sizes are often generous, resulting in uneaten food.

2. No planning or tracking of food consumption, leading to buying and preparing too much food.

3. Not checking expiration dates or using “first-in, first-out” principles.

4. Inadequate storage facilities, such as refrigerators or freezers.

5. Preparing food in excess due to habits or convenience.

6. Purchasing too much food, especially perishable items.

7. Not using leftovers creatively or repurposing them into new meals.

8. Frequent power outages also lead to food wastage.

Meanwhile, generally speaking, we can’t entirely eliminate food waste but wastage can be curtailed.

By implementing a few simple strategies provided in this article, households can reduce food waste and save money. The following are practical solutions to help you reduce food waste in your household:

Meal Planning Techniques

Create a weekly meal plan based on what you already have at home. Plan meals that use similar ingredients to avoid leftover waste. Write a shopping list and stick to it to avoid impulse buys.

Smart Shopping

Buy only what you need, especially perishable items. Consider buying in bulk for non-perishables and portioning them out. Avoid multi-buy offers if you don’t need the extra items.

Storage and Preservation

Store fruits and vegetables in the appropriate places in your fridge or pantry. Use airtight containers to keep foods fresh and reduce spoilage. Keep your fridge organized so you can see what you have and use it before it goes bad.

Practice Food Preservation

Freeze excess food that you won’t eat right away. Can or dry fruits and vegetables to extend their shelf life.

Use Leftovers Creatively in New Meals

Turn leftover vegetables into soups or stews. Blend overripe fruits into smoothies or bake them into muffins and bread.

Batch Cooking and Portion Control

Cook in large batches and freeze individual portions for later. Be mindful of portion sizes to avoid cooking more than you need.

Composting and Recycling

Start a compost bin or pile with kitchen scraps like fruit and vegetable peels. Avoid composting meat, dairy, and oily foods, as they can attract pests. Regrow vegetables like green onions or celery from their bases.

In all, reducing food waste at home is not only good for the environment but also for your budget. Start by implementing one or two of these strategies and see the difference it makes. With time, you’d finally overcome wastage, and help in the push for a more sustainable future.