SAVING MONEY THROUGH SMART FOOD MANAGEMENT

SAVING MONEY THROUGH SMART FOOD MANAGEMENT

·        If a monthly amount 'X' is saved on food wastage and invested in an option that earns an annualized return of 12%, you would amass 9600 times of 'X' in 40 years.

·        Food wastage can be curtailed through a 3-pronged approach – smart purchase, intelligent storage and optimal consumption.

1. Don’t go shopping on an empty stomach

·        When you feel hungry, you are likely to buy extra food, as food looks more appealing on an empty stomach.

·        Therefore, eat well before going to the grocery shop or the supermarket.

·        If you are an impulsive shopper, take hard cash instead of credit card, as cash payments pinch you more psychologically and forces you to be circumspect when spending.

2. Plan purchases in advance

·        Check your inventory before you go shopping.

·        Make a list of items you need and stick to the plan while shopping.

·        Don’t buy items you don’t really need by getting allured through displays and deals.

·        Read the fine print on freebies, particularly the expiry date on perishable goods.

3. Be choosy when you buy in bulk

·        When you buy in bulk, you save money, but it should not be at the cost of storage problems or they getting rotten, both of which lead to food wastage.

·        Buy those food items, which are best bought when you need them, in small quantities.

4. Store food intelligently

·        Your refrigerator is your biggest friend in your zero waste mission.

·        Stock it to its optimum capacity, but it should be cleared at least once a week to sort out long-expired items or rotten fruits.

·        Store ripening vegetables and fruits in a separate section.

·        Also, put new groceries at the back and bring older items to the front.

·        Use breathable biodegradable fabric bags, instead of plastic bags.

·        Cut off the tops of carrots, turnips and radishes and pat dry leafy vegetables with a paper towel before storing them to ensure they last longer.

·        Store meat, fish and cheese in airtight plastic bags.

5. Don’t take expiry date too seriously

·        Manufacturers tend to be too conservative when they put an expiry date on a product.

·        The phrase ‘best before’ is only an indicator of the optimum taste and won’t be unsafe for consumption a bit later too.

6. Cook smaller meals

·        Don’t cook large quantities to save on the effort, as it may lead to food waste.

·        If there are leftovers, don’t keep them for too long and consume them.