7 Easy Ways to Minimise Fresh Food Wastage
Aside from wanting to contribute to a healthier and more sustainable planet, reducing your food wastage can be an effortless routine that produces so much value for your family, especially in terms of cost savings.
We are sure you are all interested in discovering some quick tips in keeping your food fresher for longer. That’s why we have put together a list of useful tricks and kitchen ideas to ensure you’re making the most out of your weekly grocery shop!
1. Your fridge door is a no-go for milks
Although you may be tempted to keep your milk stored in the compartment of your fridge door, we strongly advise against this. Why? Because it spoils quicker, as the milk is placed furthest away from your fridge’s cooling system. Instead, place your milk in the main section of your kitchen fridge.
2. Cover your bread correctly
We all love the taste and smell of freshly baked bread or sourdough that has been made without preservatives. But when it comes to shelf life, fresh bread can sometimes be an issue.
To maintain the freshness of your loaf, cover it with a dry kitchen towel and place it in a paper bag. This will allow the bread to breathe without drying out and becoming stale.
3. Separate certain fruits & vegetables
Without going too much into detail about the science behind it all, some fruits are high in a natural gas called ethylene, which is known to ripen fruit.
So, in order to prevent certain fruits and veggies from becoming overripe, it’s important to maintain separate compartments for ethylene-producing fruits (e.g. apples, avocados, bananas, tomatoes and stone fruits) and ethylene-sensitive ones (e.g. grapes, carrots, broccoli, cucumbers, eggplants and lemons).
4. Only wash before eating
With most fruits and vegetables, rinsing them before placing them into the fridge can speed up the process of spoilage- which is definitely not what you want! So instead, unpack your grocery shopping straight into the fridge and worry about rinsing later on, when you take them out to eat!
5. Line some paper towels for your greens
To extend the life of your leafy greens, such as spinach, kale, lettuce and rocket, transfer them into a storage container that is lined with a damp paper towel. This will preserve the freshness of your leafy greens, without them drying out.
6. Make use of paper bags
Rather than keeping certain vegetables loose in storage containers or in plastic wrapping, extend their life by placing them in paper bags. This is particularly beneficial for mushrooms, potatoes and sweet potatoes!
7. Freeze fruits & vegetables
If you’re noticing that your fruits and veggies are moments away from spoiling, but are still fine to consume, don’t panic and throw them out. Instead, place them into a container or sealer bag and pop them into the freezer. Frozen fruits and vegetables such as bananas, berries, spinach, zucchinis, avocados and kale, make the perfect addition to your morning smoothie!
With these handy tips in mind, it’s time to start making the most of your fresh produce. And if you’re not making the most of your current kitchen space, it’s time to contact the Apollo Kitchens team for some kitchen renovation help!
