They say that food unites all of us, and it’s true. Yet while most people are aware of how simple it is to consume food, they are often unaware of how much food is wasted daily and how this affects the environment. The issue of food waste is more serious than what we may believe.
Food waste uses up the water and other resources needed to grow the food as well as contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. To minimize food waste by 50% by the year 2030 is a national goal that we can all unite for and help to achieve. In a world where millions of people struggle with hunger every day, reducing food loss and waste is crucial. By lessening the waste we have in our daily condo living, it will already be a great help in saving our environment and it may even lead to more high-quality produce in the future.
To prevent food waste, save money, and safeguard the environment, we’re offering you 7 great ways you can do to reduce food waste in your condo home.
How to Reduce Food Waste in Your Condo
Plan Ahead
Our advice for reducing food waste in the kitchen of your condo? Keep a record and plan out what you’ll buy and what you already have.
To avoid buying too much food that overlaps with what you already have, take an inventory of your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry before going to the store. Another great suggestion is to make a meal menu every week. Some people find it effective to plan their meals for the entire week because it helps them organize their food consumption and reduce waste. When creating a shopping list, consider the number of meals you plan to eat at home. Be mindful that our schedules can occasionally be chaotic and busy. Think about how frequently you'll eat out, whether you'll use frozen prepared meals, and whether you'll use leftovers for any of your meals. Food will only be a good deal if we can consume it on time!
Don’t Overbuy
Overbuying is a menace—start buying less!
A fully stocked refrigerator in your condo kitchen may seem very appealing and appetizing, but you are unable to consume the entire content in it, that may just result to food waste. Remember to stick to your planned shopping list and only purchase what is necessary once you reach the store. When buying in bulk, especially for items with short shelf life, always take extra careful thinking. The waste is transferred from the store to our home as a result of "buy one, get one free" and other bulk purchases. It's a good idea to only purchase what you need to avoid food waste. Purchasing less is one of the simplest ways for consumers to reduce food waste at home. Not only will it be helpful in avoiding food waste, but you’ll also save money as a result.
Understand Food Labelling
The difference between "use-by" and "best before" dates is noteworthy.
The "use-by" date indicates when food is no longer safe to consume, but sometimes food is still okay to eat after the "best before" date. According to estimates from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the misunderstanding of these dates contributes to up to 20% of food loss so it is highly essential that we all know about this information. Avoid foods with extra sugar or salt, and read food labels carefully for undesirable components like trans fats and preservatives. There may be actions to improve consumer understanding of the food expiration labeling system but as of now, use your best judgment (with your senses) when determining whether food that is just a little bit past its expiration date is still safe to eat.
Store Food Appropriately
Proper food storage is one of the greatest ways on how to reduce food waste at home as it extends the food’s shelf life and minimizes spoiling.
Use the first-in-first-out rule to make sure food doesn’t disappear from the refrigerator and cabinets of your condo kitchen. As soon as you return home from shopping, place perishable foods in the refrigerator or freezer. Store potatoes and onions in a cold, dark spot, greens with a paper towel in a plastic container in the crisper drawer, tomatoes and bananas on the counter, and fresh herbs in a glass of water. Visit and become friends with your freezer. Bread, sliced fruit, meat, and leftovers that you know won't be consumed in time should be frozen.
Pick “Ugly” Foods
Don't evaluate food by how it looks!
Major grocery chains now exclusively purchase picture-perfect food from farmers in response to consumer demand for faultless fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables with unusual shapes or appearances are frequently discarded because they don't adhere to artificial aesthetic standards. As a result, a ton of perfectly fine food gets wasted. Fear not however—they taste the same! Choose slightly flawed vegetables at the grocery store or, even better, buy it directly from the grower to do your part. For smoothies, drinks, and desserts, use mature fruit. But keep in mind: Being imperfect does not imply being terrible. We don't mean to suggest that you buy spoiled or bruised products when we advise you to buy "ugly" food.
Use Leftovers Creatively
You can find use in just about anything if you give it a little consideration—and creativity.
If you think you cannot try to repurpose your food scraps and they’ll just go straight to the compost bin, think again. There are a lot of creative ways to reduce food waste without having to throw them out. Find uses for stale food instead of throwing it out. Stock for soups can be created from vegetable peels and waste. Soft apples or blueberries cook up well in oats. Even croutons and an egg strata can be made from old bread. Vegetables that have somewhat wilted are excellent for soups or stir-fries. Use remains to extend your week's worth of meals and cut down on waste. Learn to love your leftovers!
Compost
Let’s say you’ve done almost everything. You already went grocery shopping with your carefully thought-out list, you already got creative and made a new recipe that called for a variety of peels, stems, and items from your freezer, and you even already used the food that was past its best before date. Unfortunately though, there are still some inedible scraps left over, and that’s okay. It’s inevitable anyway. However, there is another way that can be helpful during these times. What is it? Composting!
Composting is an alternative for things that can't be saved. Composting is a natural process in which microorganisms biodegrade food waste into a rich source of nutrients and a dark, earthy material that helps maintain healthy soil. You can put them in a composting bin that is located in your condo. By doing this, you replenish the soil's nutrients and lessen your carbon footprint.
For more information on Vista Residences, email [email protected], follow @VistaResidencesOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, or call the Marketing Office at 0999 886 4262 / 0917 582 5167.
