Karin Bornett
Around ten percent of the greenhouse gases that rich countries emit have noisy Welthungerhilfe originate in unused food. In addition, food waste is a pure resource destruction and price driver in emerging countries, while around 690 million people are starving worldwide. It doesn't have to be.
Planning & shopping for groceries
Good planning is half the battle. Before you go shopping, a look at the stocks and a menu for the whole week help to make targeted purchases. As a result, not only does less food end up in the trash, it also keeps more money in the stock market.
Preparation
If you prepare larger quantities and freeze portions in portions, you save time and resources. Single households in particular are familiar with the problem: a cup of whipped cream is enough for four portions, a can of coconut milk makes four plates of vegetable curry, etc. If freezing the excess food is not possible or desired, a smart menu plan helps to use up the remaining ingredients. For dessert, there are, for example, fresh strawberries with whipped cream or sweet coconut soup.
Storage & BBD
Most people now know that the best-before date (MHD) has to be stated for legal reasons, but often has little meaning. See, smell, taste is the motto. Yoghurt, for example, can usually be enjoyed for a week or two after the best-before date. An expiration date for pasta or rice is almost absurd. However, incorrect storage can damage a lot. If you use the various cooling zones of the refrigerator correctly, protect dry food from moisture and store light-sensitive oils, potatoes and onions in the dark, you can sometimes significantly extend the shelf life of your food.
Saving food with creativity
A lot of food that is not needed ends up in the trash even though it is still edible. Here are a few suggestions as to what else can be done with leftovers:
• Continue to use: Old bread is turned into fresh pastries, leftover mashed potatoes can be used to conjure up potato soup or croquettes the next day. Before food ends up in the garbage, better surf the web again. Recipes for using up leftovers abound.
• Snacks for animals: Carrots are the classic way to use up leftovers in our pets’ stomachs. Horses and rabbits like to nibble on them, but as a snack for dogs, carrots are low in calories and good for cleaning teeth. A healthy carrot replaces one or the other treat (often produced under dubious conditions). Before food is given to animals, please always inform them individually whether it is compatible with the respective animal species! Industrially prepared ready meals contain numerous additives, a lot of sugar and fat. They are not suitable for any animal!
Rescue boxes & Co.
Grocery retailers and direct marketers are increasingly offering bulky vegetables or food just above the best-before date at lower prices in boxes or similar. So they end up in the stomach instead of in the garbage. Using an app – the best-known of which is probably ToGoodToGo – surprise menus can be reserved from the lunch buffet in restaurants for collection after the buffet closes, or bread and pastries can be saved at the bakery just before the shop closes.
All in all, everyone involved benefits. The environment is protected, the providers at least get their costs reimbursed and the consumers* enjoy delicious food at a bargain price.
donate food
Since the beginning of August, private individuals in Austria have also been able to donate food to the social markets of the Samaritan Association. In Vorarlberg, for example, sausage, cheese and the like can also be placed in an “open fridge”. The project started in 2018. The refrigerators are now accessible to everyone at seven locations in Vorarlberg under the motto "bring and take". Whether it’s the corona crisis or a storm, the need for food donations has rarely been greater in close proximity across Europe.
Photo / Video: Shutterstock, Welthungerhilfe.
