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5 Effective Ways to Reduce Food Waste at Home
Clare Adshead-Grant • Aug 10, 2023
Food waste is a significant global problem with far-reaching environmental and economic consequences. Fortunately, by making a few simple changes to our habits, we can all play a part in minimizing food waste. In this blog post, we'll explore five practical ways to reduce food waste at home, from smarter meal planning to proper storage techniques and sustainable disposal methods.
- Mindful Meal Planning
One of the most effective strategies to reduce food waste is through thoughtful meal planning. Before heading to your local farm shop, take a moment to plan your meals for the week. Consider your schedule, the number of people you're feeding, and any leftovers from previous meals. Make a shopping list based on your plan to avoid impulse purchases that often lead to unused ingredients. It is also helpful to shop in stores that don't pre-pack your portion sizes for you! How do they know how much fruit and vegetables you need for the particular recipe you are going to make. At Stonefield Farm Shop, you can help yourself to as little or as much as you like or need! - Right-sized Portions
Portion control is not only important for your health but also helps reduce food waste. Start by serving smaller portions and letting everyone take second helpings if needed. This prevents uneaten food from ending up in the trash. You can also adjust recipes to match the number of servings you actually need to avoid excess leftovers. - Proper Food Storage
Correctly storing your food can significantly extend its shelf life. Invest in airtight containers for both dry goods and leftovers. Label containers with dates to easily identify the oldest items that should be consumed first. Keep your fridge and pantry organized to prevent items from getting lost and expiring. - Creative Leftover Management
Leftovers don't have to be boring. Get creative and repurpose them into new meals. For example, yesterday's roasted vegetables could become a delicious addition to a pasta dish, and extra chicken can be turned into flavorful tacos. Making soup is a quick and easy way to use up leftover veggies. By finding innovative ways to use leftovers, you'll not only save food but also add variety to your meals. One of our favourite leftover meals after a Sunday roast is what we call "cheesey greens". If you have cauliflower cheese (which is a standard in our household), you can chop up any leftover vegetables, add cheese sauce and heat up - DELICIOUS. You can also chop up and fry leftover roast potatoes and you don't necessarily need additional oil either! - Composting for Sustainability
Despite our best efforts, there will always be some food waste that can't be avoided. Instead of throwing it in the trash, consider starting a composting system. Composting turns food scraps into nutrient-rich soil for your garden. This sustainable practice reduces the amount of waste going to landfills and helps enrich the earth.
Reducing food waste is a responsibility we all share. By implementing these five simple strategies — mindful meal planning, portion control, proper food storage, creative leftover management, and composting — we can make a significant impact on the amount of food that ends up in landfills. Small changes in our daily habits can lead to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle. So, let's take the challenge and work towards a world with less food waste and a healthier planet.
Nothing tastes better than a freshly made fruit Salad. Here's how we do ours...
At Stonefield Farm Shop, we pride ourselves on offering the freshest produce sourced directly from local farms.
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What's in Season in the UK *** November ***
At our beloved farm shop, we are thrilled to bring you the very best of locally grown produce, and this season, we are proud to showcase an abundance of delicious, locally sourced apples. Apples are an integral part of British culture, and the local orchards produce a diverse range of apple varieties, each with its own unique characteristics and flavors. In this blog post, we will introduce you to five exceptional apple varieties you can find in our shop now: Spartan, Cox, Howgate Wonder, Princess, and Jonagold. Let's explore what makes each of these apples special. Spartan Apples Spartan apples are renowned for their vibrant, deep red color and a sweet, crisp taste. These apples are perfect for those who prefer a sweeter, dessert-like fruit. Spartans have a slight tartness that balances the sweetness beautifully. Their firm texture makes them ideal for eating fresh or adding a delightful crunch to salads. Cox's Orange Pippin Apples Cox's Orange Pippin is a quintessentially British apple variety, celebrated for its exquisite flavour. These apples are known for their aromatic, honeyed sweetness with a hint of citrus. Cox apples are great for snacking and also excel in making homemade apple pies and cider. Their distinctive russet patches add to their charm. Howgate Wonder Apples Howgate Wonder is a lesser-known but equally delightful apple variety. These apples are known for their large size and slightly flattened shape. With a sweet, crisp flesh, they are excellent for eating fresh, making them a perfect choice for lunchboxes or snacks. Their mild flavour appeals to both children and adults alike. Princess Apples Princess apples are prized for their striking appearance and balanced taste. These apples boast a beautiful deep red skin with a creamy-white interior. They offer a pleasing blend of sweetness and tartness, making them versatile for various culinary applications. Whether you enjoy them raw, baked in pies, or turned into apple sauce, Princess apples won't disappoint. Jonagold Apples Jonagold apples are a delightful cross between the Jonathan and Golden Delicious varieties. These apples are known for their aromatic, honey-sweet flavour with a touch of tartness. Their crisp texture and excellent juiciness make them perfect for fresh eating, but they also shine in apple tarts and cakes. Why Choose Locally Grown Apples? By choosing locally grown apples from our shop, you not only support local farmers and reduce carbon emissions associated with transportation but also enjoying apples at their freshest and most flavourful state. Local apples are typically harvested when fully ripe, ensuring you get the best taste and nutritional value. Conclusion Visit our farm shop and experience the joy of autumn and this diverse selection of locally grown apples. Whether you prefer the sweet crunch of Spartan or the classic British charm of Cox's Orange Pippin, there's an apple variety to suit every palate.
What's in Season in the UK *** October***
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What's in Season in the UK *** September***
Nothing tastes better than a freshly made fruit Salad. Here's how we do ours...
At Stonefield Farm Shop, we pride ourselves on offering the freshest produce sourced directly from local farms.
What's in Season in the UK *** December ***
how to store fruit and vegetables
3 recipes for brussel sprouts
What's in Season in the UK *** November ***
At our beloved farm shop, we are thrilled to bring you the very best of locally grown produce, and this season, we are proud to showcase an abundance of delicious, locally sourced apples. Apples are an integral part of British culture, and the local orchards produce a diverse range of apple varieties, each with its own unique characteristics and flavors. In this blog post, we will introduce you to five exceptional apple varieties you can find in our shop now: Spartan, Cox, Howgate Wonder, Princess, and Jonagold. Let's explore what makes each of these apples special. Spartan Apples Spartan apples are renowned for their vibrant, deep red color and a sweet, crisp taste. These apples are perfect for those who prefer a sweeter, dessert-like fruit. Spartans have a slight tartness that balances the sweetness beautifully. Their firm texture makes them ideal for eating fresh or adding a delightful crunch to salads. Cox's Orange Pippin Apples Cox's Orange Pippin is a quintessentially British apple variety, celebrated for its exquisite flavour. These apples are known for their aromatic, honeyed sweetness with a hint of citrus. Cox apples are great for snacking and also excel in making homemade apple pies and cider. Their distinctive russet patches add to their charm. Howgate Wonder Apples Howgate Wonder is a lesser-known but equally delightful apple variety. These apples are known for their large size and slightly flattened shape. With a sweet, crisp flesh, they are excellent for eating fresh, making them a perfect choice for lunchboxes or snacks. Their mild flavour appeals to both children and adults alike. Princess Apples Princess apples are prized for their striking appearance and balanced taste. These apples boast a beautiful deep red skin with a creamy-white interior. They offer a pleasing blend of sweetness and tartness, making them versatile for various culinary applications. Whether you enjoy them raw, baked in pies, or turned into apple sauce, Princess apples won't disappoint. Jonagold Apples Jonagold apples are a delightful cross between the Jonathan and Golden Delicious varieties. These apples are known for their aromatic, honey-sweet flavour with a touch of tartness. Their crisp texture and excellent juiciness make them perfect for fresh eating, but they also shine in apple tarts and cakes. Why Choose Locally Grown Apples? By choosing locally grown apples from our shop, you not only support local farmers and reduce carbon emissions associated with transportation but also enjoying apples at their freshest and most flavourful state. Local apples are typically harvested when fully ripe, ensuring you get the best taste and nutritional value. Conclusion Visit our farm shop and experience the joy of autumn and this diverse selection of locally grown apples. Whether you prefer the sweet crunch of Spartan or the classic British charm of Cox's Orange Pippin, there's an apple variety to suit every palate.
What's in Season in the UK *** October***
why you should eat seasonal fruit and vegetables
What's in Season in the UK *** September***
