{"id":1395,"date":"2023-04-06T23:10:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-06T11:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ericjames.co.nz\/?p=1395"},"modified":"2023-05-18T23:20:01","modified_gmt":"2023-05-18T11:20:01","slug":"the-five-most-wasted-items-in-nz-pantries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ericjames.co.nz\/the-five-most-wasted-items-in-nz-pantries\/","title":{"rendered":"The five most wasted items in NZ pantries"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
…and how to use them up the right way!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
With food prices on the rise, Kiwis are looking for ways to make the most of their grocery shop. These simple tips can help you both reduce food waste and save dollars.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The Kantar New Zealand Food Waste Survey completed in April 2022 found that New Zealanders waste about 100,000 tonnes of good, edible food per year. This is a huge amount of organic matter going into landfill, where it rots and produces methane gas, contributing to climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is also a whole lot of money down the drain for individual families, with the study estimating that the average household wastes about $1520 per year on food that never makes it to the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some organisations such as KiwiHarvest are working to redirect excess food from growers, manufacturers, and businesses to places where they are needed most, such as foodbanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While this is a great way to reduce waste on a supply level individual families have a part to play too \u2013 especially in the current climate where many are struggling to put food on the table. The good news is there are some simple ways to ensure your lettuce doesn\u2019t go slimy and your bread mouldy before you have had a chance to put together your BLT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tip 1:<\/strong> Save your loaves!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bread is the number one most wasted food item in New Zealand. So how do we stop it from going bad? The easiest answer is to store it in the freezer. It\u2019s simple to grab a couple of slices of frozen bread as you need it. It defrosts quickly on the bench, with 15-20 seconds blast in the microwave, or by using the defrost option if you\u2019re making toast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This way you can also make use of sales, stocking up on a couple of loaves of your favourite brand and having it ready in the freezer as you need it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Extra bread tip: If you (or a small someone in your house) are not a fan of crusts and end slices, cook these bits in the oven until they\u2019re dry and then blitz them in the blender for 30 seconds or so. It\u2019s that easy to make handy homemade breadcrumbs.<\/p>\n\n\n