Save time, money and cut waste with a shopping list

There is a simple way to cut down on food waste, and save money and time into the bargain – the humble shopping list!

Shropshire Council has teamed up with Love Food Hate Waste to produce some top tips to make list-making second nature.

UK homes throw away a staggering eight million tonnes of food each year, costing the average family £680. Aside from the hole this eats into our weekly budget, this food waste also has serious long-term impact on the environment.

The simplest way to save shoe leather when food shopping is to make a quick shopping list! It may be an obvious suggestion, but how many times have you rushed off to the shops only to find yourself unsure whether you already have enough rice or potatoes?

Spend a few minutes planning your list before you leave the house and you’ll navigate the shopping aisles in a much shorter trip.

The tips being offered to food shoppers are:

• Keep a pad and pen in the kitchen – when you’ve got through the last of your favourites such as milk or cheese scribble it down on the list.
• Shopping for specific ingredients with meals in mind and taking a list helps ensure we use what we buy.
• Buying foods that can be used for several different dishes gives us flexibility to create different meals.
• Look for food with the longest shelf life or fresh foods which can be frozen in case you don’t get round to eating them in time.
• Have a quick rummage through the fridge, freezer and store cupboard once a week; it’ll end those evening runs to the local late night shop for essentials.

John Hurst-Knight, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for waste, said:

“Making a shopping list is the easiest way to save time, money and reduce the amount of food wasted.”

For more recipes and great ideas to save money and reduce food waste, please visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.com.