Check fridge, do a shopping list, and don’t cook too much at mealtimes

A MAJOR study conducted by researchers at Teagasc and NUI Galway has highlighted the need for not wasting food as the challenge of feeding a growing world population grows.

One of the conclusions of the report – published in the latest edition of the Teagasc TResearch magazine – is that one third of all food coming into homes in western society is wasted.

The study also warns that ongoing food waste may have ‘dire consequences’ for us all ‘in the near future’ as the world will need to feed an additional two billion people over the coming years.

“As consumers, we’re responsible for a significant proportion of food waste, and it’s important that we recognise food as a valuable commodity and radically decrease our tendency to waste it.

“That’s why researchers at Teagasc and National University of Ireland, Galway (NUI Galway) have undertaken research to better understand our food waste behaviour and identify ways to improve and change it,” the TResearch article points out.

Researchers at Teagasc and NUI Galway conducted an exploratory study on Irish adults to examine factors relating to sustainable food behaviours, including the issue of food waste, with 263 adults completing a questionnaire.

Almost one third of respondents (32%) acknowledged wasting food ‘in every aspect’ – by cooking too much food; throwing away leftovers; as well as wasting food before it was even cooked or consumed.

A further 29% – while not being so wasteful overall – tended to waste fruit, vegetables and bread, while the biggest group (39%) – ‘over-cookers’ – just tended to put ‘too much on’ but rarely threw food away.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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