Today, 811 million people worldwide are struggling with hunger, while 1.3 trillion tons of food is wasted and thrown away every year. This food, which is wasted every year, can meet the needs of starving people 4 times more. Food insecurity, which exists especially in underdeveloped countries, continues to intensify with the effects of the climate crisis and threatens all parts of the world. Food waste also causes carbon dioxide emissions, triggering the climate crisis. It is a great injustice that trillions of tons of food is wasted when there are so many hungry people in the world. The resources that this waste consumes and the damage it causes to our planet cannot be ignored.(Source 1) (Source 2)

The most important step we need to take in this important issue is to prevent food waste. But how?

1)Take as much as you need

Avoid buying more than necessary when you go grocery shopping. Identify your needs and plan your shopping ahead of time. If your closet is still full, give priority to consuming them, then buy new items. Going shopping on a full stomach will also help not to overdo it.

2) Do not exclude ugly looking food

Buy fruits and vegetables of different colors, different shapes, and unattractive. They are not preferred and wasted just because of their appearance, but their taste is the same, although their appearance is different.

3) First, consume the foods you bought before, pay attention to the expiration dates

Prioritize the foods you bought earlier so they are not consumed intact and not thrown away. You can then consume your newly purchased products. Also, be careful not to exceed expiration dates.

4) See how you can recycle food waste

Collect various vegetable stems, skins, roots and then boil them to evaluate. Thus, you get a vegetable broth that you can use in soups and meals. Compost by collecting organic food waste. Thus, you will increase the productivity of the soil and return the wastes to the nature. Research various composting methods and choose the one that suits you best. You can start by acquiring the bucket and materials needed for Bokashi Compost, which is one of the most suitable types for city life. Evaluate your compost in your own garden if you have it, or contact your municipality if you do not have it.

5) Use the right storage methods

Some foods should be stored in the refrigerator, while others should be stored outside. Research and apply the best methods to store the food you buy.

6) Share with those who need it

If you have leftover food, instead of throwing it away, feed stray animals, give them to the needy and try to donate them to various institutions.

7) Do not prepare more food than you can eat

Consider how many people will eat the food, plan the amount you will eat, avoid overeating and wasting it.

Alara Civelek