How to cook and shop in a sustainable way on a household level
- Avoid overbuying – Assess your household’s needs and shortage and make a shopping list beforehand..
- Purchase only what is necessary for the following couple of days.
- Plan your meals (save money, prevent resorting to convenience foods and food waste).
- Store foods (including cooked food) properly to prevent food spoilage and keep them fresh (see Modules 3&4).
- Read food labels and packaging & prefer products being produced in your country (if written on label).
- Prefer purchasing products from local producers and support local shops and markets in your area/ neighbourhood.
- Prefer products whose packaging is mentioned to come from recycled materials.
- Pay close attention to expiration dates, especially for high-risk food groups (e.g. fresh milk)
- Recook cooked food following food safety procedures for reheating, defrosting and use of leftovers
- Reuse tubs, bottles, and containers (e.g., yoghurt pots), takeaway containers, jars, and reusable freezer bags
- Eat foods that are in season
- Use all parts of the food e.g., leaves, peels, stalks, stems, roots etc.
- Cook in a sustainable way by a combination of cooking methods to reduce the time and energy needed.
- Save water when cooking and washing.
- Make good use of your waste e.g., food packaging recycling, composting leftover scraps.
- Prefer environmentally friendly detergent products.
- Reduce the use of plastic containers in your kitchen and prefer using glass containers.
- Purchase items that have a lower water footprint.