7 Easy Ways to Reduce your Food Waste at Home

_{7 Tips to Waste Less & Enjoy More in your Kitchen}

Let us be done with lamenting limp leeks and losing leftovers to the dark depths of the fridge! All it takes is a few simple changes to your weekly food routine to help reduce your household’s food waste, while saving a buck & helping the environment too.

Each year the average kiwi throws away around 32kgs of avoidable food waste, adding up to about $1,500 worth of food per household. And when food goes to waste, it’s not just money we’re losing - it’s also squandered land, water, energy and the tender love & care that went into growing it!

By choosing Wonky Box you’re already on the food waste fighting journey, rescuing fresh produce from going to waste at the farm gate. And we want to help you enjoy your haul once it lands in your kitchen too

So in honour of International Day of Food Loss and Waste, we’re sharing 7 simple ways to be a food waste fighter in your own home.

_{BEFORE YOUR FOOD SHOP}

_‍1. Plan your meals

‍Set aside half an hour at the start of the week (we reckon Tuesday, when your Wonky Box contents list is released of course!) to think about what you’ll cook for the next few days. When you head to the store, only purchase what you need to bring those recipes to life.

‍2. Understand expiry dates

‍There’s a few different labels lurking around on packaging, which can lead to tossing food that’s still perfectly sweet to eat. Here’s the basic break down:

“Use by” is the strict curfew for your food. If it’s past this date, it’s time to say goodbye to make sure you don’t consume anything unsafe.

“Best before” has more wiggle room! Food past this date won’t harm you, it might just have lost a bit of its mojo—like a slightly stale cracker or a less-than-crispy chip. As long as it’s stored right, it’s usually still good to go after this date. Just give it a sniff or a wee taste test, and make the most of it before deciding to toss!

“Sell by” is shop speak, and a guide for retailers to know how long to display a product. If you’ve got it in your fridge, it’s still good for a while after! Again, use your common sense and a bit of a sniff to double check.

_{ONCE YOU'VE GOT THE GOODS}

3. Re-organise your fridge based on First In, First Out (FIFO)

‍When you unpack your groceries, put the newer items at the back of the fridge or pantry and move older bits & bobs to the front of the shelf. Front of shelf, front of mind! This reminds you to use these items more quickly.

4. Store smart to stay fresh

‍Some wonky wonders keep best in the fruit bowl, while some fair better in the fridge. Not to mention those potatoes and onions that like to be kept in the cool darkness of the pantry! Check out our A-Z guide to proper produce storage here

_{TIME TO COOK}

5. Love your Leftovers‍

Last night’s roast veggies can be tomorrow’s frittata, pasta sauce, or even baked into bread. Store them in clear containers with dates so they don’t get lost in fridge oblivion! Notice if you’re regularly left with a particular item each week, and scour Pinterest or the Wonky recipe site for ways to give this a second lease on life.

6. Preserve your Produce

Freezing isn’t just for ice cream! Chop then freeze any fruit and veggies you know you won’t get through — perfect for future stews, stir-fries, or smoothies. Herbs or blitzed greens can be frozen in olive oil or water for an on-demand flavour bomb. Coming into warmer weather, we love filling ice cube trays with citrus juice to use in a cold drink on a sunny evening.

Or try a pickle you want to be in. Pickling makes perishables last longer, as the acidic solution prevents the growth of harmful bacteria, and contributes to the pickle's delicious characteristic sour and tangy taste. Use our Guide to Pickling Anything here!

7. Compost the Rest

If you’ve got scraps that can’t be salvaged, compost them! It’s a more eco-friendly way to return nutrients to the earth, reduce your waste, and keep your garden happy. Your plants (and the planet) will thank you.