Food Waste
It all adds up
Food waste is a significant issue in the United Kingdom, with an estimated 9.5 million tonnes of food wasted each year. The waste occurs at different stages of the supply chain, including farms, supermarkets, restaurants and households with households being the biggest contributor.
The UK’s 5 Most Commonly Wasted Foods
Potatoes
5.8 Million potatoes are thrown away every day in the United Kingdom.
To prevent wastage store them correctly in a cool and dark place. If they do start to sprout the sprouts can just be cut off.
Potatoes can be frozen once so can be stored for future and reduce how much is being thrown away.
Potatoes are versatile and amongst other things can be for fish cakes or bubble squeak- which can again both be frozen.
Recipe for Potato and Cheese scones
Bread
We throw away 24 million slices of bread each day in the UK.
Stale bread can be used to make breadcrumbs or croutons and then simply stored in the freezer so they are always there to use.
Bread freezes well so if you’re not going to use the rest of the loaf, pop it in the freezer and use another day.
Recipe for Bread and Butter Pudding
Milk
5.8 million glasses of milk are wasted on a daily basis in the UK.
Milk also freezes well, you can pour it into smaller bottles if you prefer and take it out of the freezer as and when you need it. Otherwise you can use large quantities of milk up in smoothies, milkshakes, sauces and rice puddings as well as a whole array of other dishes.
Recipe for a Basic White Sauce
Bananas
A staggering 1.4 million bananas are disposed of per day.
Many people dislike bananas when they go brown but yet this is when they become sweeter so are ideal for baking in a banana loaf. They can also be frozen- keep them stored in the freezer until you have enough to make something with. You could also use bananas up in smoothies, milkshakes or ice cream.
Recipe for Banana Bread
Salad Bags
Although very convenient, salad bags are a huge waste with 178 million bags going into the bin each day. Once opened the become slimy quickly- this is down to their water content.
To help preserve for longer fold a piece of kitchen towel and place it into the bag and then tightly seal the bag. The kitchen towel will absorb the moisture and keep the salad fresher for longer.
Recipe for Summer Greens Soup
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Come and join us for a drink and a chat each week whilst collecting good quality food.
Watermoor Church Hall every Friday from 3.30pm
Membership £14 a month.