June 2021

Food can be expensive. We show you lots of little tricks to help you avoid food waste, buy good quality food and save money simultaneously.

MAKING A MEAL PLAN

Before hitting the grocery store, planning, planning, planning, so you can avoid impulse buying.

Check your pantry, fridge and freezer, and check the expiration date on food so you can:
Make a meal plan, considering leftovers.
Create a grocery list based on what you have and don't have.
Bring your Reusable Bag → and a couple of smaller bags for loose fruits and vegetables.

SHOPPING FOR GROCERIES WISELY

Once you are heading to the grocery store, there are several things to consider:

Bulk foods tend to be cheaper than pre-packaged ones
Pay a visit to local markets. These markets typically sell goods that are not pre-packaged, tend to be cheaper, and by purchasing those, you directly support local farmers. Here, you can learn more about Where to Shop for Sustainable Food →
Opt for Seasonal Produce →. It is usually not imported. Therefore shipping costs are lower, so it is cheaper and more environmentally friendly. Besides, it often tastes better than products not in season yet.
Opt for Tap Water →. If you need bottled water due to the tap water quality or taste, consider buying a water filter kettle/jug that purifies tap water.
Consider lowering your meat and dairy consumption.

Check out food products at a discount that are close to expiring. Sometimes you can get these at half of the usual price!

Once you return home from the grocery store, the next steps are to store, prepare, and consume the food.

Store food properly. This is key to ensuring you are getting your money’s worth and preventing potential food waste.
- When it comes to items prone to expire or losing their freshness quickly, store them in the freezer, especially if you know you will not prepare or eat them within the next couple of days. You can cut up fresh fruits, meat, bread or other pastry and then defrost them when needed. Our Handling Food→ entry contains a comprehensive list of tips and tricks on storing your food.
If you have not made a meal plan before going to the supermarket, look at the food you have purchased and think of meals you can make. Many online apps are designed to search for recipes by ingredients such as Yummly or SuperCook.
Get creative, and cook from leftovers.
Organise and clean your fridge and cupboards regularly. That way, you can keep track of the food items you already have at home and prevent buying them again and possibly wasting them in case you cannot use them in time.
Go through your bills and track your consumption. Challenge yourself for at least one month to create an overview of your food consumption, highlight what you could buy less of, or on the other hand, which nutritious foods you tend to forget to buy.

Support independent, local restaurants. They often source their ingredients locally and typically use products in season.
Follow your favourite restaurants on social media to keep an eye on coupons or days when discounts are offered.
Ask the restaurant staff to pack the leftovers for you. Consider bringing a reusable box when you enjoy food in a restaurant if there are leftovers.
Explore anti-food-waste apps where you can purchase surplus meals at discount prices from your local restaurants and stores. TooGoodToGo app is available in Germany, France, UK, Denmark, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, Norway, and Austria. Similarly, Karma operates in Sweden, UK, and France.
Explore anti-food-waste events led by food-waste activists and movements. There is a new concept of organising dinner events where meals are cooked from surplus food provided by local suppliers. When you browse the internet for these, try searching for “food surplus events” or “dumpster dinners”.