Choose What You’ll Use – Food Waste Action Week 2024
Food Waste Action Week is back for its third annual run, and Love Food Hate Waste Canada is excited to shed light on simple behaviors that can make a big impact on preventing food waste. From March 18 to 24, 2024, we invite you to join us in making mindful choices that not only save time and money but also contribute to the fight against climate change. This year, our theme is “Choose What You’ll Use”, focusing on the benefits of buying loose fruits and vegetables.
Buying bulk can work really well if you have a plan on how to use this food up. But ask yourself, is it really a bargain if the extra produce ends up getting tossed? In Canada, fruits and vegetables are the most commonly wasted foods, accounting for 45% of the food we waste at home. That’s not the banana peels or egg shells but the wilty greens we don’t use up in time, or the avocadoes that turn brown once we take one slice! We often waste good food because we buy too much, waste too much, or don’t store that food correctly. Buying close to your needs is a practical approach that can help you stretch your grocery budget and prevent food waste!
This Food Waste Action Week we encourage you to embrace the mantra “choose what you’ll use” and buy the right amount, variety and ripeness of the produce you need.
Buy the Right Amount: Rather than reaching for large bags of produce that risk being forgotten or wasted, buy only the amount you need. For example, for produce like potatoes that can be tricky to store, only buy the amount you need for your planned recipes. Yes, it’s okay to only buy two potatoes!
Choose the Right Variety: Tailor your purchases to suit your specific recipes and preferences. For example, consider whether you need firm, tart apples like Granny Smith for a tasty apple pie, or a small, sweet apple like a Gala for snacking on. Maybe you need two of each! When you buy them loose, you get to choose what you’ll use.
Get the Right Ripeness: Here’s a revolutionary idea – buy produce that’s already at the ripeness you love best. Hacks on how to ripen or prevent ripening only work if timed well to when you plan on using it! Instead, only buy one or two fruits at the ideal ripeness for you. Try this radical idea for fruits like bananas and avocados.
Join us this Food Waste Action Week and try the concept of “choose what you’ll use”. In the long run, you’ll save money and prevent food waste, and who doesn’t love that! For more tips and ideas, follow us on Instagram @lovefoodhatewasteca.
