Continuing data collected by Do Something! ABS and State Governments reveal that across Australia, about 4.45 million tonnes of food, worth $7.8 billion, is discarded each year. Food wastage is up by 50% since 2005. With household bins containing up to 40% food waste, a 'scrap tax' is now being considered.
Given that rotting food in landfill gives off toxic methane gases, composting and smarter food usage have become viable options through council discussions. One of our favourite products is the Bokashi Bucket. Micro-organisms are placed in the bucket with food scraps (incl. meat) and are broken, or pickled down to a safer form to be able to then transport from the kitchen to your compost heap. There is no smelly ordeal for your kitchen and the liquid produced can be removed easily and used diluted with water on your garden to really boost your harvest. Retailing for around $18 for the Mirco-organism mix and $85 for the Bokashi bucket, GC Member Price is $12 for the mix and $65 for the bucket. Check out Bokashi Man for more info...
By writing a list and planning meals for the week, you can reduce your food waste and your grocery cost! Work out what will last the distance in the fridge, and use the most perishable items first. We cook up meals in batches the day our produce arrives and then freeze, or sometimes have a big cook up at the end of the week with what is left by making soups, casseroles, curries etc with our leftover vegies. When stewing and poaching fruits, or using in baking - food waste will be minimal, and you will find that your week feels easier because your meals are already made!!
By keeping a good stock of pantry supplies like stock, herbs, spices, rice and flours etc, you will always be able to pull something yummy together! Perhaps juicing is more your thing in the warmer months? Drying fruits and vegies is also a great way to preserve foods. If you don't have a dehydrator, placing foods in the oven on a very low temp over a few hrs can also do the trick.
Until Next Week!
GC xo
