Welcome to Nourish By Numbers. We are a public awareness initiative to help people better understand the future implications of the food choices we are making today. Good food isn’t just about flavour and nutrition, it isn’t just about us. That’s the basis of this better food movement. In this edition, seeking out ways to reduce food waste.

Food Waste is a mountain of a problem. Canadians throw away 58% of the food we produce. The world average is a little lower at 30%. That’s millions and millions of tons of food that could have satisfied hungry people around the world but instead ends up in the landfill. It’s an atrocity of the civilized world that this enormity of waste is taking place in homes and factories and farms around the world.

As a part of the last post in this series of #1000Waysto Nourish, I offered Step 1 in combatting the enormous task of reducing food waste. Shop your fridge first. Here’s Step 2.

Take the Pantry Challenge

Shop your Pantry.

Every day take at least three items out of your pantry and use them for dinner. Supplement with what you find in your fridge. That, you may remember was Step 1.

Give youself a bonus if you used ONLY pantry ingredients.

If your pantry is anything like mine, this can go on for a while before you make a dent. Cans of lentils and corn, sauces and peppers and baked beans, there is so much in there that can be transformed into a wholesome meal. Chillis and stews and curries, all are great dishes to make with pantry ingredients.

Make it a habit.

That’s it. Sounds easy enough, right. And you save money in the bargain

One Last Thing: check the dates on the cans and jars. The Best Before End on many pantry items advise quality rather than safety. The people behind Love Food Hate Waste have done research into keeping different foods fresh. Check out the information they offer. It will help.

Believe we can make a difference? Follow and share #1000WaystoNourish.