Cookbook for leftovers – Ochsner & WWF against food waste
Food waste is not just money that simply ends up in the bin. It also directly contributes to the climate crisis and the extinction of species. Do you want to be part of the solution rather than the problem? Then become a food rescuer!
The problem
Worldwide, about one third of food that is produced is simply thrown away. In Austria alone, around one million tonnes of uneaten food ends up as rubbish every year. Half of this waste finds its way into the kitchen bin. This is not only bad for your bank balance, but also for our environment. While the mountains of food waste continue to grow, forests around the world are still being cut down for farmland. At the same time, there are still people suffering and dying of hunger.
The solution
There are now a number of institutions that campaign against food waste. However, you as an individual can also make a contribution. Become a food rescuer by using up valuable food instead of wasting it! Our tips below make it easy.
Planning
Food rescue starts when you do the shopping. By only adding to your trolley what you will actually consume, you're already putting a stop to waste in the supermarket. A weekly meal planner with precise shopping lists will help you.
Storage
Once you've got your shopping into the kitchen at home, it's time to go straight to the rescue. By storing your food correctly, you stop it going off prematurely – and then being wasted. The rule of thumb for the fridge is: fruit & veg in the vegetable compartment; meat and fish in the bottom compartment; eggs, milk and cheese at the top. In the store cupboard, always make sure that food packets which have been opened are properly sealed. Also keep an eye on the best-before dates.
Look, smell, taste
If the best-before date has passed in spite of your vigilance, that's no reason to put the food straight in the bin. "Look, smell, taste" is the motto – in that order! If the food looks perfectly fine and smells normal, taste a small piece.
Rely on your judgement rather than a printed date. The date is more of a conservative recommendation than a fixed expiry date. The fact is: many foods, such as yoghurt and eggs, are often still edible several weeks after the best-before date. Greater caution is needed with other products, especially fish and meat.
Great ways to use up leftovers
Finally, a brilliant idea to combat food waste. Rather than disposing of old or leftover food, why not turn it into something delicious? The WWF, in cooperation with Ochsner and other partner companies, has compiled some wonderful recipes for this. The resulting cookbook can be downloaded from https://www.wwf.at/de/kochbuch/.
In addition to scrumptious recipes for leftovers, you will find further information about food rescue and even more tips on how to counteract waste. Our thanks to all food rescuers – together we can make a difference!
