We all know that Christmas is the time of year to celebrate with good drinks, good food and good friends. Food is a hugely important topic at &Smyth, not only being the focus of some of our amazing clients but also being something that brings us all together. As communicators working to promote the agri-food industry, we also have a responsibility to encourage the avoidance of food waste, so we wanted to share some tips and tricks we’ve found.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, about 8%-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions are caused by food waste, with Ireland contributing approximately 750,000 tonnes of food to the pile, the equivalent of approximately 3 billion servings of mashed potatoes! In fact, Pete Pearson, Vice President Food, Food Loss and Waste at the World Wildlife Fund reminds us that even though we grow enough food globally to ensure everyone could be fed, 30-40% of the food we grow never makes it to our plates.
Reconsidering Christmas meal prep won’t just save the planet, but wallets too, as Teagasc notes that during the festive season, it’s likely that people could waste up to 50% of the foods they purchase. It’s not surprising that food waste increases around the holidays as we seek to continue traditions passed on featuring many different family favourites. However, it may be time to retire some of the less popular dishes at the dinner table and reconsider our post-Christmas meals to make a difference for the planet.
So we’ve made a list of three ways that you can help reduce food waste this Christmas season while still enjoying your favourite treats:
1. Plan your shopping list and check it twice
It’s never too early to start planning a fantastic Christmas menu. We know that it can be hard to plan, especially when considering the favourite dishes of your guests. But use this to your advantage and think back to past Christmas dinners, cutting down on dishes that weren’t the biggest crowd pleasers, and selecting options that are easy to prep and freeze for portion control. Next, stick to your shopping list. It can be tempting to pick up extras but if you don’t know how the food will be used it can lead to more waste. We love Chef Tom Hunt’s tips and recipes for low-waste dishes like this soup made from salad leaves.
2. Gift some goodies
Looking for gifts with a difference? Edible goodies make great gifts at Christmas and can also help to reduce food waste. Carrot top pesto, homemade pickled veg, or this Chocolate Salami recipe from Lilly Higgins are just some ideas that can make the most of what you have!
3. Make the most of your meals
Last but certainly not least, make the most out of your Christmas dinner and use. your. leftovers! Properly storing leftovers is a future gift, whether that’s refrigerating, freezing or making delicious broth for warming soups and stews. If Ross Geller’s ‘moist maker’ sandwich from Friends doesn’t appeal, there are plenty of fabulous recipes for Christmas leftovers that we recommend from Irish Country Magazine, Ballymaloe Foods, and Bord Bia.
While we know that this time of year can be stressful to plan, shop and cook for, let’s all remember that what’s really important is spending time with family and friends, and showing gratitude for all that we’re given – especially from the planet! We would love to hear from you – if there are any tips that we have missed, do let us know.
Merry Christmas and a very happy new year from team &Smyth.
