How to reduce food waste in your kitchen

The way we shop has changed recently, with many of us choosing to return to a larger weekly shop. This may pose some new challenges around how we keep food fresh, recipes that mean less food waste, and finding alternative ingredients. Here are our top tips for keeping food fresh and making the most of your groceries.

Planning ​
By creating a weekly meal plan, you will be better able to manage what meals work best for your budget. Overbuying can lead to food waste, so making sure you check fridges, freezers and cupboards before shopping is a good way to save money and maximise your shopping list. 

When in-store, try to get into the habit of checking date labels. Fresh fruit and vegetables should be consumed first. It is best to organise them with the ripest at the front, so they are used first. In fact, the ‘first in, first out’ rule should be observed for all food. By keeping products with the closest expiration dates at the front, you will find you are more likely to use them before they go off. 

Any leftover ingredients (including offcuts) can be made into a soup or casserole to avoid wastage. Check out Love Food Hate Waste for more helpful information. 

You can also use the freezer to store over-ripe fruits to be included in smoothies or baked goods. Yum!

Could your pantry be the key to less food waste? 
Your pantry could be the secret weapon in creating dishes that not only wow, but that reduce food waste in your kitchen. Have you ever gone to try a recipe only to realise you don’t have that fancy spice that is key? Stocking up on seasoning, condiments, canned and bottled goods, nuts, seeds, grains, and legumes can mean turning leftovers into a whole new dish or trying something new with ingredients you regularly use. Find some top pantry staples here. 

Better storage
One of the simplest ways you can reduce your carbon footprint in the kitchen is to store food in a better way. Instead of using single-use plastic like cling film and sandwich bags, use aluminum foil, invest in reusable metal or glass containers, use silicone lids and try making your own beeswax food wraps. 

Using the right appliances can also help preserve food for longer. Neff’s FreshSafe technology helps food last 3 times longer. It has three storage compartments. The first two drawers are the ‘Preservation Drawers’. They are designed to keep salad items, leafy herbs, and fruit at their peak for longer. It can also extend the life of your veggies. With adjustable humidity levels vitamins and nutrients remain considerably longer. 

The third drawer is perfect for fish, meat, and dairy products. Instead of cooling to 5oC like conventional fridges, it cools to 0oC making it far more efficient at keeping food fresh. There are two climate zones so all your food can be stored at the best temperatures. 

How we can help
​Talk to us today about your kitchen. We can design a bespoke, high-quality kitchen that is perfect for your lifestyle. We can advise on the best appliances for your budget and give you clever storage ideas, so your space works better for you. 
Contact us today by calling 01403 266630 or emailing [email protected]