Love food? Tips to not waste it!
How much money could you save by throwing out less food?
Everyone wastes food, and about half of this waste happens in our homes! In Canada, an average family of four throws out nearly $1,500 per year! In the trailer for the film, "A Food Waste Story - Just Eat It!", the BC documentary filmmakers say that 40% of all food that is grown and produced, ends up in the landfill!
From farm, through retail, to fridge...to compost?
What an inefficient system; wasting energy, money, time and food that could be eaten. By wasting less food, we can all save money, eat better, help the environment by reducing the waste of resources needed to grow, package, and transport food, such as fuel and water, as well as reduce the methane gas emissions that directly contribute to climate change.
The Table Matters Network
Locally, the Table Matters Network created the North Shore FoodPrint Challenge to help raise awareness around food waste. They are inviting residents of the North Shore to take five days and measure and report all preventable food waste – food that could have been eaten but is thrown out. Those who sign-up early will receive a free digital kitchen scale. Shopping, meal planning and food storage tips will be sent to participants & we will post some more here too! After completing the five-day challenge, participants will be asked to complete an online survey to report their results and be entered to win groceries courtesy of North Shore food retailers! Contact info@tablematters.ca or visit www.tablematters.ca for more information and to sign up. Find them on Twitter and Facebook pages too!
How to reduce food waste
There are lots of resources and tips out there, and we would love to hear your shopping, storing tips to decrease food waste.
Check-out the following links and resources for more information:
- Farm Folk City Folk have a Foodprint Project with tips on shopping, kitchen, storage and a food print tracking sheet: www.farmfolkcityfolk.ca/projects/foodprint
- Check-out this great storage sheet resource to reduce your FoodPrint.
- Scroll down on the I Value Food site to find out more about food waste and what you can do to prevent it in your home: www.ivaluefood.com
- Plan with meals in mind! Great tips from the I Value Food site on how to shop your cupboard, plan meals and waste less: http://ivaluefood.com/resources/meal-plan-shop/meal-planning-guide
- Love Food Hate Waste: another site that focuses on meal planning, information and tip sharing.
- David Suzuki with staggering stats on food waste, as well as 5 Ways to End Food Waste.
- Provision Coalition's Food Waste in Canada Report maps food waste in Canada, the problem, root causes, as well as some opportunities and recommended next steps.
- Food Waste Movie - keep your eyes peeled for this BC movie, more info here: www.foodwastemovie.com
What do you think?
We are interested to hear your tips and reactions.
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