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Saving Money on Food ShoppingA Guide to Reducing Food Wastage and Helping the Environment
Each week the UK's discarded leftovers could feed the entire population of Canada three square meals.
According to WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme), for every three bags of shopping we buy, we throw one away uneaten. 6.7 million tonnes of food are wasted annually just within the United Kingdom. By following a few simple tips, it is possible to drastically reduce the amount of food purchased and then wasted. The Problem of Food WastageEvery item purchased from a supermarket has taken a huge amount of effort and resource to get it there. From growing the produce to harvesting and packing it, right through to shipping it from the country of origin, takes a great toll on the environment. Around a third of all the food we buy ends up being thrown in the bin and most of this could have been eaten. Reducing food waste is a major issue and not just about good food going to waste; wasting food costs the average family £420 a year and has serious environmental implications too. If everyone were to stop wasting food that could have been eaten, the CO2 impact would be the equivalent of taking one in five cars off the road. Research from WRAP (April 2008 report) suggests that about 40% (by weight) of the food thrown away that could have been eaten is fresh fruit & vegetables. Meat and fish, bread and other bakery products, dairy produce, rice and pasta are all in the top five most wasted foods. Cost to the EnvironmentThe environmental costs of food waste are enormous. WRAP estimates that 20% of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions are associated with food production, distribution and storage. If we stopped wasting food that could have been eaten we could prevent at least 15 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions each year. The majority of these emissions are associated with embedded energy but a significant proportion arises as a result of food waste going to landfill sites. Once in landfill, food breakdown produces methane - a greenhouse gas 23 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. (January 2007). How to Reduce Food Waste in the HomePlanning meals, keeping the cupboard and fridge stocked with basics and keeping an eye on the 'best before' and 'use by' dates can take some of the hassle out of shopping. It saves time and money and helps cut down on food waste. Never eat products after the use by date, and follow the storage instructions. Check if the item can be frozen and eaten at a later date. Visit the Food Standards Agency website for more information about food dates. The best before date refers to quality rather than food safety. Foods with a best before date should be safe to eat after the 'best before' date, but they may no longer be at their best. One exception is eggs - never eat eggs after the 'best before' date. The Benefits of Proper Food Consumption CalculationMore and more people are getting switched on to the idea of food recycling – a way of calculating the food needed to cater for a set number of people, to eliminate waste. Calculating food measurements correctly can make a real difference to the amount wasted, saving money and conserving the environment. How to Calculate Food Requirements:
Another great tip is to keep a food planner for the weekly shop, ensuring that only food that can be consumed is purchased, saving money and reducing waste. Sources:
The copyright of the article Saving Money on Food Shopping in Food Trends is owned by Jen Syrkiewicz. Permission to republish Saving Money on Food Shopping in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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