Today, humanity faces the challenge of guaranteeing food security throughout the world, i.e. ensuring that all people have access to a sufficient diet appropriate to their stage of development and health.
However, according to the Food Waste Index Report 2024 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), at least one billion meals per day are being wasted in households worldwide. And “high-income, upper-middle income, and lower-middle income countries differ in observed average levels of household food waste by just 7 kg/capita/year”.
Changing this scenario depends on more than one factor. However, the behaviour of families when it comes to managing food at home plays a crucial role to that end.
Why is it important to reduce food waste at home?
At the household level, reducing food waste will contribute to diminishing the family’s food budget and therefore to increase their economic well being.
At a macro level, reducing food waste will contribute not only to increase food security and decrease world population hunger, but also to diminish the environmental impact of food production. Therefore, it is of crucial importance for the protection and well-being of current and future generations
How to reduce food waste at home?
Start saving at the supermarket to throw less food to the waste bin at home.
– Plan shopping to avoid buying more than what is needed. Checking stock and drawing up a list of products and quantities to buy before going to the supermarket will help to prevent impulse purchases and avoid buying food that is not going to be used in a reasonable period.
– Read and understand the information on the label, for example regarding the time limit for consumption, and rules for preserving, using and reusing food. This will allow us to decide if a certain food should be acquired considering the family consumption and conditions to keep it.
– Always keep products in proper storage conditions.
– Adjust cooking quantities to consumption needs, avoiding leftovers.
– Use preparation and cooking techniques that allow the edible part of the food to be fully utilised. For example, learn how to use food subproducts (as fruit or vegetable peels and seafood heads and shells).
– Learn how to manage leftovers, particularly how to store and reuse them. For example, look for recipes that allow leftovers to be creatively transformed.
Without individual awareness, food waste will continue to increase and contribute to worsening food insecurity.
Without a collective effort and a change in behaviour, the nutrition of current generations and of our descendants could be compromised.
Conclusion
Today is the best day for each of us to start adopting attitudes that contribute to reversing the current situation and improving the living conditions of the world’s population
