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Fighting Food Waste

September 11, 2024

TACKLING FOOD WASTE IN AUSTRALIA

Food waste is a pressing issue in Australia, with significant economic and environmental impacts.

According to the National Food Waste Strategy Feasibility Study:

- Food waste reduction is crucial as food waste costs the Australian economy around $36.6 billion each year. Australians waste around 7.6 million tonnes of food annually, equating to about 312kg per person, costing up to $2,500 per household.

- This highlights the need for effective food waste management strategies.

- Food waste contributes to approximately 3% of Australia’s annual greenhouse gas emissions, underscoring the importance of preventing food waste to mitigate environmental impact.

- Growing wasted food consumes around 2,600 gigalitres of water, equivalent to the volume of water in five Sydney Harbours. Implementing sustainable food practices can help conserve these valuable resources.

- The land used to grow wasted food covers more than 25 million hectares, an area larger than the state of Victoria. This land could be put to better use with food waste initiatives.

- Households are the largest contributors to food waste, responsible for about 2.5 million tonnes per year, or 30% of the total. Promoting food waste solutions at the household level can significantly reduce this figure.

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FOOD WASTE FACTS & INFORMATION

How often are you tempted to throw something out whenever you look inside the fridge?

Sadly, much of the planet's food waste problem results from food being thrown into bins when they're still edible, with fruits and vegetables⁽¹⁾ being the most wasted of all food groups. In fact, 45%⁽²⁾ of all produce goes to waste year after year, further putting a strain on landfills and the environment. Food waste in agriculture also plays a significant role, with inefficiencies and losses occurring at various stages of production and distribution.

One effective approach to reduce food waste is the cultivation of glasshouse-grown produce. Glasshouse farming can significantly decrease waste by providing a controlled environment that reduces spoilage and extends the shelf life of fresh produce. This method enhances fruit and veggie storage and minimises losses, ensuring that more produce reaches consumers in optimal condition.

Consumers might also want to consider fruit and veggie storage techniques that extend the shelf life of fresh produce. Proper storage can prevent spoilage and reduce the amount of food that ends up in the bin. By adopting these methods, we can all contribute to a more sustainable future and make a positive impact on the environment.

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FOOD WASTE RECIPES

An easy way to reduce food waste is by making recipes that incorporate every part of your fruit and vegetables, as well as using older fresh produce.

Check out our food waste recipes here, including baked and roasted vegetables, tarts, jams, preserves, sauces, and pickles.

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FOOD WASTE DOWNLOADABLES

Save these handy digital copies to your computer, which will help you form habits to reduce your own food wastage. Share with your friends and family so that more Australians can learn how to reduce their food waste and impact on the planet!

Grocery Shopping List & Weekly Meal Planner

Planning the week ahead with meals at breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well for snacking times, greatly reduces the chance of needing throw out rotten, unused food. Download our simple meal planner to start binning less food and save on food costs.

DOWNLOAD: Grocery Shopping List and Weekly Meal Planner

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Produce Seasonality Chart

When produce is bought in-season, it tastes better and lasts longer at home. Download this sheet to find the months which your favourite Perfection Fresh fruits and vegetables are in-season.

DOWNLOAD: Produce Seasonality Chart

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Roasted Vegetables & Roasted Fruit Chart

Find new ways to make snacks and meals with produce past its prime, by downloading these charts.

DOWNLOAD: Roasted Vegetables and Roasted Fruit Chart

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HOW TO REDUCE FOOD WASTE

Reducing food waste starts with how we plan, buy, and store food. Follow these recommended steps below if you're looking to make a positive impact on our planets food waste crisis.

Step 1: Planning Ahead

1. Check what's available at home

2. Plan your meals

3. Take a shopping list to the store

Step 2: Buying At The Store

1. Only buy what you need
2. Buy local and seasonal produce
3. Don't focus on only buying 'perfect' produce

Step 3: Produce Storage

Different 'families' of produce, and even types of specific fruits and vegetables, have different storage needs. Some are best kept in the fridge (such as berries), whereas others (such as tomatoes) lose their flavour when exposed to the cold and should be kept on the kitchen counter.

Watch these videos for useful tips on how to store different produce items: