6 Tips To Reduce Food Waste

by Marie-Ève Caplette, RD

No one likes to throw their money in the garbage. However, in Canada, 63% of the food we throw away could have been used. Vegetables and fruits are the foods we most often throw out. Find out how you can use more of your food and throw out less with these 6 tips.

The goal is not to stop generating any food waste, but rather to take realistic steps to reduce it. Take one step at a time, without aiming for perfection. Try to put into action the tips that speak to you.

Make Vegetable Stock from Scraps and Peelings

For a few years now, I have been preparing my homemade vegetable broth from vegetable scraps and peelings. This way, I save money, throw out less and… bonus, I reduce sodium intake!

My method is simple: I keep a bag in the freezer in which I place the scraps and peelings when I cook. Instead of throwing them out or composting the scraps and peelings, as they accumulate when I cook, I add them to the freezer bag. When I have enough scraps and peelings, I prepare the broth by adding water to cover the vegetables and scraps, add seasonings and simmer for 1 hour.

Here are some ideas for vegetable scraps and peelings that you could freeze to make your stock:

• onion and garlic peel
• the green part of green onions and leeks
• the peel of carrots and parsnips
• radish or carrot tops
• celery or beet leaves
• the head of a fennel
• fresh herbs that are starting to wilt

Imperfect vegetables and fruits are still good

Imperfect vegetables and fruits are still good to eat. As well, wilted vegetables and overripe fruits don’t have to go in the garbage. Here are 3 ideas for using them up instead of throwing them out

Just because a fruit, like an apple, gets overripe or bruised, it doesn’t mean you can’t still use it. Smoothies are perfect for overripe or damaged fruit. For example, if a strawberry is starting to mold, cut the molded part and use the rest of the fruit in a smoothie

Soup is to vegetables what smoothies are to fruits. Even if your vegetable is getting a little bit limp or beyond it’s best, you can still use them to make a delicious soup. In addition, you can use your homemade vegetable broth to make your soups.

Another way to use limp vegetables is to roast them in the oven and transform them into a savoury side! To roast, simply put your veggies in the oven with a little bit of olive oil, herbs and spices. You can also make this easy grilled vegetables panzanella.

Compost your food waste if you can’t use it

Composting leftover food is a beneficial way to reuse food scraps, turning food waste into energy Perhaps you live in a city that offers a municipal compost service. If so, use it to divert as much food waste as you can. You may even be able to compost meat, oils and cheese through these programs.

Other options are available if this service is not offered by your municipality. First, you can find out if there are service points near you. Otherwise, you can make your own compost in your backyard if you have room or use a countertop composter may be an option if you don’t have much yard space.

Plan your meals, shop smart and meal prep

The best way to avoid ending up with unused and wasted food is to plan meals and snacks in advance. Making a list and buying food according to it is one of the best ways to reduce food waste.

One thing I like to do is to cut fruits and vegetables in advance to have them on hand. Once they are ready to eat, they are more tempting and less likely to accidentally go bad before you get around to eating them!

You can also prepare a few meals in advance. This helps prevent food from going bad before it can be cooked. Freeze the food that you are not planning on eating in the next few days. For more tips, read the article 4 Quick and Easy Steps to Meal Planning.

Use your freezer

Freezing prepared meals in individual portions allows you to always have lunches on hand. In addition, it’s easy to freeze sauces and other condiments in small portions in ice cube trays. This way, it’s easier to thaw just the portion you need. Examples include:

• Tomato paste
• Broth
• Pesto
• Hummus
• Tomato sauce

If you buy in bulk freeze meat, chicken, and fish for future meals. Feel free to freeze tofu and tempeh too. I like to freeze my tofu in a marinade because it will absorb the flavours even more when it thaws.

Understand what best-before dates mean

“Best before” does not mean “not good after”. This belief causes unnecessary waste.

Best before dates reflect the freshness and shelf-life of a product. It tells you more about the freshness and quality of foods. You can still eat foods beyond their best before date, but they may have lost some of their freshness, flavour, and nutritional value.

Above all, we must rely on the opening date and our judgment. For example, for eggs and dairy products, the “best before” date is an indicator of freshness not spoilage.

For more information on this subject, read the article “What Does the Best Before Date Really Mean?”.

Remember the goal is not perfection but rather to take realistic steps to reduce food waste. Try to put into action the tips that speak to you.