Practical Tips to Reduce Food Waste at Home: Insights from Industry Experts

Did you know that enough food is produced today to feed everyone on the planet according to the United Nations? Despite that, hunger is on the rise in some parts of the world, and some 821 million people are considered to be “chronically undernourished.” Now that is a HUGE number!

But why is that? And where is all this food going? One word: WASTED! Even though there is enough food for the planet, a lot of it is being wasted. How? Let’s find out!

Why Is So Much Food Being Wasted?

● Agricultural Practices

It starts at the beginning. Farmers often produce more food than is needed to ensure a stable supply, which leads to surplus crops. These excess products may go unsold and be discarded.

● Restaurants and Buffets

Businesses tend to overproduce food to meet customer demands and ensure availability, but much of it remains uneaten, leading to wastage of food.

● Aesthetic Standards

Many times, supermarkets and retailers often discard perfectly edible food because it doesn't meet cosmetic standards, such as the size or appearance of fruits and vegetables.

● Expiration Dates

Food close to its sell-by or expiration date is often thrown away, even if it's still safe to eat. Let’s face it; we have all done it!

● Overbuying

Excessive buying, especially during sales or special occasions, usually leads to waste when it goes unused.

● Misunderstanding Expiry Labels

All of us have probably faced the confusion between "best before," "use by," and "sell by" labels at some point in time. It happens a lot and results in food being discarded prematurely.

● Excessive Ordering

Has there ever been a time you went to a restaurant and ordered more than you could eat? Probably way too many times, right? In restaurants and even homes, large portion sizes lead to unfinished meals, which are often thrown away.

● Leftover Scraps

Many people don't utilise leftovers or find creative ways to use food scraps, which results in unnecessary disposal of edible food.

● Food Processing

During food production, certain parts of fruits, vegetables, and meat are discarded, even though they may be consumable or could be repurposed.

● Distribution Mismatches

Food is often wasted in the supply chain due to inefficiencies in distribution and mismatched demand between suppliers and retailers.

● Over-Catering

Large events and catering services tend to prepare more food than necessary to ensure they don't run out, which results in large amounts of leftovers.

According to the World Food Programme, a fifth of all food produced each year is squandered or lost before it can be consumed. Crazy! Hence, the question arises: Which practices can help reduce food waste?

How To Control Food Wastage?

Even though there are a lot of reasons for food wastage, for developed countries like Australia, a lot of it happens in the kitchen where many of us throw away perfectly fresh food, make more than we require, or just leave a lot of it to spoil in the fridge.

So, what are some food waste solutions that could help all of us in reducing it? Well, we were as curious as you so we decided to ask the industry experts. And guess what we found out? Reducing food waste at home is easier than you might think!

With the help of expert advice, you can make small changes that have a big impact. Here’s a guide full of practical tips, so you can start saving food, money, and the environment all in one go. Keep scrolling to know more!

1. Plan Your Meals: Build a Balanced Menu

Ever wander the grocery store aisles and end up with a cart full of random items? Experts say this is where most food waste begins. Interactive Tip: Try creating a meal plan at the start of each week, using ingredients you already have in the fridge. Start by checking what's about to expire and incorporate those items into your upcoming meals. Use online apps or a simple calendar to plan it out.

Example: If you have carrots, onions, and potatoes about to go bad, plan a stew for mid-week. Then, shop only for what you need to complete the recipe, and no more!

2. Portion Control: Know Your Serving Sizes

Overcooking leads to leftovers, which can often get forgotten. Learn how much your household eats by keeping track for a week. Interactive Tip: Use an online portion calculator or measuring tools to serve just the right amount. Aim to reduce portions gradually if you often have food left on plates.

Challenge: For one week, try serving smaller portions and track how often food is left uneaten. Adjust based on actual consumption, and you'll reduce waste and eat more mindfully.

3. Love Your Leftovers: Creative Recipe Remix

Do you end up tossing leftovers because they seem unappealing the next day? Here’s a fun tip: Treat leftovers like ingredients for a brand-new dish. Interactive Tip: Set a “leftover challenge” for yourself. Take your leftover meals and transform them into something completely new. Need ideas? Search for “leftover recipe generators” online and get inspired!

Example: Last night's roast chicken can turn into a delicious chicken salad, and extra rice can be stir-fried with veggies for a quick dinner.

4. Store Food Like a Pro: Maximise Freshness

Improper storage can cause food to spoil quickly. Industry experts advise learning optimal storage techniques for each type of food. Interactive Tip: Label your containers with the date they were stored and research the best ways to store different foods. For instance, keep herbs fresh by storing them in a jar of water or wrapping leafy greens in a damp cloth before refrigerating them.

Try This: Pick one type of food each week—like herbs, bread, or veggies—and learn the best ways to store them. You’ll be amazed at how much longer your food lasts!

5. Compost Scraps: Give Food a Second Life

Instead of tossing vegetable peels or coffee grounds, why not turn them into rich, nutritious compost for your garden? Interactive Tip: Start a small compost bin in your kitchen or backyard, even if you don’t have a garden. There are countertop-friendly composters for apartment living too.

Get Started: Challenge yourself to compost 100% of your fruit and vegetable scraps for a month. Track how much less waste you throw in the trash by the end.

6.  Get Ready Made Meals Home Delivered

Not too many people living in your house causing wastage of food? Get ready-made meals delivered to your home! Many meal delivery services offer fresh, portion-controlled meals that cater to your dietary preferences, minimising the chances of over-purchasing ingredients that might go unused, leading to less food waste.

When you order these meals, you receive precisely what you need, reducing excess and potential waste. To make this process engaging, involve your family in selecting meals from various services, and discussing which options appeal to everyone.

7. Buy "Ugly" Produce: Reduce Waste at the Source

Ever pass by “ugly” produce because it's misshapen or slightly bruised? Industry professionals highlight that these foods are just as nutritious and often come at a discount! Interactive Tip: Make it a habit to buy imperfect fruits and vegetables. Not only will you help reduce waste at the grocery store level, but you’ll also save money.

Fun Game: On your next grocery trip, find at least 3 “ugly” items and incorporate them into a fun, creative dish. You’ll be saving food that might otherwise go to waste!

8. Freeze What You Can: Extend Shelf Life

The freezer is your best friend when it comes to preventing food waste. Many foods freeze well and can be used later. Interactive Tip: Learn what foods can be frozen and at what stage—whether it’s bread, fruits, vegetables, or even leftover meals. Portion items before freezing for easy use later.

Hack: Set a goal to freeze at least one item each week that you normally throw out, like leftover pasta sauce, overripe bananas, or bread. Label and date everything!

9. Donate Food to Those in Need

If you’ve stocked up on non-perishables and realise you won’t use them, don’t let them sit unused. Interactive Tip: Check with local food banks to see what items they’re accepting. If you have unopened, shelf-stable foods, make a monthly habit of donating them.

Bonus: Organise a neighbourhood food donation drive, encouraging others to contribute their excess non-perishable foods.

10. Shop with a Purpose: Stick to the List

Impulse buying is a major culprit behind food waste. Experts recommend sticking to a list to avoid purchasing unnecessary items. Interactive Tip: Before heading to the store, check your fridge and pantry to avoid buying duplicates. Use apps or a simple pen and paper to list only the essentials.

Challenge: For the next month, commit to grocery shopping only with a list. Track how much food you throw out at the end of each week and see if it decreases!

11. Implement A “First In, First Out” System

One of the most effective solutions to food waste is implementing a “First In, First Out” (FIFO) system in your pantry and fridge. Start by emptying your pantry and refrigerator to assess what you have. Check their expiration dates and discard any that are expired. Arrange the remaining items so that the older products are at the front, making them more accessible, while placing the newer items at the back.

Want to have fun while doing this? Involve your family members in a “race” and have fun competing to see who can sort their section the fastest.

12. Educate Yourself On Food Storage Life

Most of us probably do not have any knowledge about food life. Understanding how long different foods last is crucial for managing food waste effectively. Our advice? Take the time to research the shelf life of common food items, including fruits, vegetables, dairy, and grains, using different guidelines.

Compile your findings into a colourful chart that outlines food items, recommended storage methods, and their expiration timelines. Display this chart prominently in your kitchen or pantry so that you can come back to it whenever you want. This idea will help you loads in food waste management!

13. Utilise Every Part of Your Food

A great way to reduce food waste is by utilising every part of your food. Throughout the week, collect vegetable peels, cores, and stems that you would typically discard. Research recipes that incorporate these often-overlooked parts, such as using carrot tops in pesto or broccoli stems in stir-fries. Compile these recipes into a small booklet or digital document to create your own “food scraps recipe book.”

Trust us, this trick will not only help minimise waste but also encourage creativity in the kitchen.

Ready to Tackle Food Waste?

Now that you’ve got these interactive tips, it’s time to take action. Start with one or two strategies that fit your lifestyle, and watch your food waste shrink. Not only will you feel good about the impact you’re making, but you’ll also save money and get creative in the kitchen!

And if you want to give ready-made meals a try, let us introduce you to the best meal delivery service in Australia: Fast Fuel Meals. Whether you want to avoid over-purchasing products or are too busy to cook, our fresh and tasty meals are all you need to satisfy your tastebuds and reduce food wastage. Order once and see for yourself!