Love Food Hate Waste

Top tips to keep food fresher for longer

• Keep tomatoes in the fridge to keep them firm and fresher for longer. Try keeping them in a loosely tied bag to keep them even firmer.
• Potatoes should be stored in a cool, dark, dry place – keeping them in a vegetable bag retains freshness. They can even be stored in a bag in the fridge if you have room.
• A fruit bowl isn’t the best place for apples – keep them in the fridge. Those with sensitive teeth may want to bring them to room temperature before eating.
• Always store broccoli in the fridge – otherwise it tends to soften and go yellow quickly. Keeping it in a vegetable bag will help it stay fresher for longer.
• Lemons and peppers are best kept in a bag in the fridge – this way they retain more moisture so stay fresher for longer.

Thinking ahead!

• Put a list together before you head to the shops – this can save time and money
• Check what’s in your cupboard or freezer – not forgetting the back of your fridge – before you shop for more.
• Keep food "staples" in the cupboard which a quick meal can be made from
• Make sure you know what needs eating first & knowledge of date labels
• Shopping with meals in mind and being realistic about what you’ll eat

Value your food

• Make good use of the fridge and freezer to keep food better - for example, most ripe fruit can be kept in the fridge to make it last longer.
• Soft carrots or cucumber can be sat in water and chilled to give them their bite back
• Use air tight containers to store your food
• Keep your fridge temperature between 1-5ºC – this helps you get the best from your food

Better Portioning

• When cooking for a family - take a few minutes to measure food out - perhaps into a favourite cup - so you get the right portion per person.
• Measuring uncooked rice:
  
  - Adult portion: 5 tablespoons - 75ml
  - Child portion: 2 1/2 tablespoons - 35ml
  - Four adults: A full mug - 300ml

These are just a few food saving ideas. There are loads more on the Love Food Hate Waste Website

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