Preventing Food Waste at home

from Desi Today Apr-May 2022 Web

The ultimate 7 layer dip

Preventing Food Waste at

home can help tackle Climate Change

Food waste has a devastating impact on the planet, and each of us has an important role to play

Canadians produce nearly 10 million tonnes of greenhouse gases each year, simply by wasting perfectly edible food at home — however, there are plenty of simple actions everyone can take to help prevent unnecessary food waste.

Wasting food means we are wasting the resources used to grow, produce and distribute that food to consumers. Getting food from farm to table, and then managing or disposing of food as waste, also has a signifi cant carbon footprint – contributing to Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions. Canada’s 2.2 million tonnes of avoidable household food waste is equivalent to 9.8 million tonnes of CO2 and 2.1 million tonnes of CO million cars on the road!

Diverting food waste to composting is better than sending it to a landfi ll, but preventing food from being wasted in the fi rst place is an even better way to lessen our impact on the environment. Every tonne of household food waste that is avoided is the equivalent of taking one car off the road each year.

This year, from March 7 to 13, Canada joined with environmental charity WRAP for the fi rst global Food Waste Action Week, with the goal of driving home the message, “Wasting Food Feeds Climate Change.”

The international week of action was delivered through the National Zero Waste Council, an initiative of Metro Vancouver, and its well-known Love Food Hate Waste Canada campaign.

The National Zero Waste Council is leading Canada’s transition to a circular economy by bringing together governments, businesses and NGOs to advance a waste prevention agenda that maximizes economic opportunities for the benefi t of all Canadians. The Council has been leading on food loss and waste prevention since 2012, advocating for fi scal incentives, policy change, and the adoption of best practices. Its national A Food Loss and Waste Strategy for Canada prioritizes actions for governments, businesses, and community organizations. http:// www.nzwc.ca/

“Food waste has a devastating impact on the planet, and each of us has an important role to play,” said Jack Froese, Chair of the National Zero Waste Council.

“As someone with a lifelong connection to farming, I know full well how hard farmers work to put nutritious and tasty food on Canadian tables. Food Waste Action Week is all about helping people get the most from the food they buy, for the sake of the planet.

Sixty-three per cent of the food Canadian households throw away is considered avoidable, meaning it could have been eaten. Nationwide, that amounts to almost 2.2 million tonnes of edible food wasted each year, at a cost of more than $17 billion. The environmental impact of this waste is equivalent to 9.8 million tonnes of CO2 emissions, or 2.1 million cars on the road.

Globally, around one-third of all food produced is lost or wasted, which accounts for between eight and 10 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions. Fighting food waste at home has a direct impact on these emissions: every tonne of household food waste that is avoided is the equivalent of taking one car off the road each year.

“When we reduce waste, we also lessen carbon emissions and make a positive impact on the environment. Walmart is proud to support the Love Food Hate Waste campaign in Canada as we work towards becoming a regenerative company and eliminate surplus food as part of this journey. Our associates are passionate about reducing food waste in our stores and throughout our operations. Each Walmart store is paired with a local food bank to maximize surplus food donations. The LFHW campaign provides Canadians with practical solutions to save money and prevent surplus food. When we all work together, we can create waves of change in our communities,” said Sam Wankowski, Chief Operations Offi cer, Walmart Canada

Canadians are encouraged to use the food-saving tips shared on the Love Food Hate Waste Canada social channels (Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter) and through the #foodwasteactionweek hashtag. From storing food correctly, to using up leftovers and making sure none of the food we love goes to waste, every small change can make a big difference.

Food Waste Action Week was supported by Love Food Hate Waste Canada strategic partners and many other business, nonprofi t, and government organizations and citizens working across Canada in the fi ght against food waste.

Waste Less with Kids

Conservation doesn’t come naturally for many of us — especially when it comes to food. For new parents, this becomes readily obvious as they have to beg and bribe their kids to fi nish a meal. But it’s also a chance to teach little ones the virtue of a clean plate. Here are some great ways to start.

Feed Them Your Food

Save time, energy and untouched leftovers by feeding your child the same food you eat, pureed for the little ones. Serve yourself a smaller portion knowing you’ll likely fi nish what they don’t. Start when they’re young and you’ll never be a short order cook for your child.

Serve Tiny Portions

We want our kids to try new foods, but studies show many children have to try a food up to 15 times before accepting it. Start with small portions and minimize untouched food. You can always offer seconds when they’re interested.

Save Tiny Portions

Speaking of those barely touched portions — save them! Either serve leftovers again in the next couple of days, or, incorporate them into something else. Put leftover milk in your morning coffee and leftover veggies in a stir fry. Purees can be added to pasta sauce or soup.

Limit Snacking

Kids that munch constantly aren’t hungry during mealtimes.

FOR NEW EATERS

Forget The Five-Second Rule

Place a clean mat below your small child’s high chair before serving food. That way, food that falls (or gets jettisoned) off the tray is still safe to eat and can just be placed back on their plates.

Feed Finger Foods

Little nuggets don’t spill, can be easily recovered off the mat below and allow your child to learn to feed him or herself independently.

Don’t Tolerate Food Flight

Kids throw food on the fl oor to test their boundaries. Don’t put up with it. Stay nearby as they’re learning to eat and intervene before the food starts fl ying. Give them a specifi c place on their plate or tray to put it instead. They’ll eventually get it and you’ll have less cleaning to do as a result

AS THEY GET OLDER

Inspect Lunchboxes

Pack reusable containers with lunch and have your kids bring home leftover food and drinks. Asking why some food went uneaten will help you offer the right foods in the right amounts next time. Sometimes small changes like cutting foods into smaller pieces can make lunch more appealing.

Use The Ikea Effect

People tend to like things they helped make and children are no different. So involve your kids in cooking. Give them choices when possible. Allow them to serve themselves in the portions they want, within reason.

Visit a Garden / Farm

Kids who are involved in growing fruits and vegetables are more likely to eat them. Give your child an appreciation and respect for the resources required to bring food to the table by starting a garden, joining a community garden, or visiting a farm. Source News Canada

3 SIMPLE TIPS TO BOOST YOUR Health at Home

For many of us, it’s been tricky to create or maintain healthy habits while the world continues to be so topsy turvy. To help you be healthy, follow these three simple tips:

1 Stay active – keep moving.

We all know this one, but it’s important. There are countless online workouts and yoga classes to try for free or by subscription, but you can also dance while cooking or doing the dishes, take jumping jack breaks, or go for a walk to mark the end of your workday. Every move counts, and so try to bring the fun into everyday activities.

2 Get the right set up – ease your pain

After a couple of years of working from home, it’s time to get serious about your home offi ce setup if you haven’t already. Though you may be back in the offi ce part or most of the time, hybrid work is likely here to stay.

Whatever your workspace looks like, making it ergonomic is crucial. It’ll save you a lot of neck and back pain or discomfort, eye strain and visits to chiropractors. Do your research and ask your friends and family what’s worked for them to help you fi nd the best fi t.

3 Make sure your home is safe – test for radon

Radon is a radioactive gas that’s in all our homes. If your home has a high level of radon, all the time you’re spending at home these days could be increasing your exposure and your risk of lung cancer. Long-term exposure to elevated levels of radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.

The only way to know the radon level in your home is to test. You can buy an inexpensive DIY kit or have a professional come in and do the test for you.

Find more information about radon testing at canada.ca/radon.