Food for a colossal 10 billion meals is wasted by the UK food industry every year, with devastating climate impact.
Here at FareShare South West, we’re passionate about reducing food waste and ensuring more people have access to a healthy diet.
To mark Stop Food Waste Day, we asked the team for their top tips to make the most of surplus food – and they didn’t disappoint!
From cooking inspiration to serving and storage ideas, here’s our mini guide to cutting down on food waste, saving time and money while you’re at it.
We had the pick of the bunch when it came to top banana tips, but these two were winners:
1. Bananas overripe and un-ap-peel-ing? That makes them perfect for banana bread. Get baking straight away or chop up and freeze for a rainy day
2. Blend overripe bananas with milk (or a plant-based alternative) and freeze for a simple, healthy ice cream
3. Salad looking sad? Putting a paper towel in a bag of salad helps keep it fresh for longer, or decant into a sealable airtight container
4. Plan ahead when it comes to shopping, so you buy what you need and don’t be tempted by reduced items you know you won’t use
5. Did you know you can freeze cheese? (We thought you’d be grateful for that one!)
6. Do a fridge clear out at the end of the week and make a big ‘pot luck’ pasta sauce with any lurking veg – a great way to reduce waste, pack in more nutrients and batch cook to save time
7. Surplus fruit or veg? Give them a new lease of life by chucking veg into a hearty soup and blending fruit into a satisfying smoothie (this is especially great for produce that’s past its best)
8. Don’t let ginger or garlic go to waste. Chop, grate or crush them and freeze any surplus flat in a sandwich bag, then just break off the amount you need when ready to use it (this is also great for saving time while cooking)
9. Glut of veggies? Batch roast them and freeze for later – perfect for a pasta sauce. Reduce waste, save time and eat well
10. Serve food in the middle of the table rather than on individual plates. This can help ensure people just take what they will eat so the rest can be saved for another day
If you’re a food business, you can work with FareShare South West to save your surplus from waste and send it to us! 🍎
Find out more about partnering with FareShare South West to reduce food waste
