Tips for anti-waste shopping

Practical tips for efficient and sustainable shopping.

1. Plan your meal: The first step to prevent food waste is to plan your meals. Take a few minutes each week to decide which dishes you’ll prepare and what ingredients you’ll need for them. By having a clear menu in mind, you can create a precise shopping list and avoid overbuying or purchasing products you won’t use. Choose recipes that have common ingredients to make the most of everything you buy. Consider what you already have at home before adding products to the list. Think dishes that can be reused so that they can be used for several recipes.

2. Make a detailed shopping list: A detailed shopping list is your best ally to avoid buying unnecessary products. In addition to including only what you truly need, group products by sections (fruits, vegetables, dairy products, etc.) to save time in the supermarket and avoid temptations. Take the list to the supermarket and stick to it. Use mobile applications to help you keep track of what you consume and what you need to replenish. If you buy large quantities, make sure you have a plan for consuming or preserving the products before they expire.

3. Buy conscious: Choose local and seasonal products, which are fresher and tastier. They have a longer shelf life, as they have not been subject to long periods of transport or storage. Pay attention to the expiration dates of the products. It’s important not to confuse the ‘best before’ date, which indicates that the food may lose quality after that date but is still safe to consume, with the ‘use by date’, which marks when the product should no longer be  consumed. Focus on the quantities you need and don’t get carried away by promotions that involve buying more than you will consume. Bring your own reusable containers to the market or One of the biggest challenges is learning how to make the best use of food to prevent it from ending up in the bin. This involves using all parts of the bulk food shop.

4. Make the most of everything you buy: One of the biggest challenges is learning to make the most of food to prevent it from ending up in the trash. This involves using every part of the ingredients and finding creative ways to reuse leftovers.

Preserves food better and longer: One of the main reasons food is wasted is because it is not stored properly. Different foods require different preservation methods to stay fresh for longer. Tips for better food preservation:

• Fruits and vegetables: should be stored according to their needs; some belong in the refrigerator, while others, such as bananas and tomatoes, are better kept at room temperature.

• Bread: can be frozen if it won’t be consumed within a few days.

• Fresh herbs: can be stored with their stems in water or in airtight bags with a damp paper towel to extend their shelf life.