Where Is Food Wasted?
Food can be wasted in our homes and beyond, through each stage of its journey from farm to your home. In fact, around 14% of food globally is lost before it even reaches retailers [2]. Here are a few instances where food can be wasted;
Meeting Industry Standards
Up to 20-40% of fruit and vegetables are said to be discarded at farms because they do not meet industry standards [3]. They could be irregularly shaped or discoloured. However, this does not mean they are not safe for consumption.
Transportation
Once transported, food can become spoiled. If packed too tightly, fruit and vegetables may become bruised or if perishable goods, such as poultry, isn’t temperature controlled it may become unsafe to eat.
Use-by Dates
One of the biggest offenders for food waste are use-by dates. Retailers have a duty of care to their customers and therefore have to restock items that may have surpassed its shelf life. In addition, at home many of us may bin foods based on their use-by or best before date shown on the packet, but this does not make them inedible.
Cooked Food
Furthermore, cooking for more people than we need or taking larger portions than we can physically eat can both result in food being disposed of if not eaten. Our
Mini Meals range is a great way to combat this, offering a variety of smaller sized dishes that are perfect for when you fancy a smaller portion.