SCS32-W6 | Real-Life Problem Solving Challenge: Reduce Food Waste At Home

Hello everyone,

It's my delight to be part of this week's Real-Life Problem Solving Challenge.
Food is a precious gift from our Heavenly Father. My parents taught me never to waste food because they believed it is wrong to take such a blessing for granted. Today, I teach my children the same lesson. Many people go to bed hungry every day, while others survive by eating from trash bins. Therefore, having food on our table each day is a great blessing, and we are no better than those who lack it. This is why we should always appreciate every meal and avoid wasting food.
In my home, I do my best to reduce food waste through proper planning, careful storage, and responsible consumption. These simple habits help us save money, make better use of the food we buy, and ensure that little or nothing goes to waste.

What arrangements do you make at home that help you avoid waste?

• One of the ways I reduce food waste at home is by preparing a shopping list before going to the market. This normally help me to buy only the items we need thus preventing unnecessary purchases.

• Secondly, I used to plan our meals ahead of time, for example I normally plan our breakfast in the evening before the actual day so that every ingredient I buy is used effectively.

• Another habit is checking the food items already available in the house before shopping. This helps me avoid buying things I already have at home.

• I also store perishable foods such as vegetables, cooked meals like soups, stew, and meat properly in the refrigerator or freezer to keep them fresh for a longer period.

• In addition, I cook moderate portions based on the number of people eating. If I want to prepare a particular meal, I normally ask the people in my house if they will eat, and how much portion they can go for. This helps reduce leftovers and minimizes food waste in my home.

What is the most common reason for food waste in your home, and how do you solve it?

• One of the most common reason for food waste in my home is cooking in excess, yes more than what we can finish, and this usually happens when our expected visitors do not come again.

To solve this problem, I now make sure that the visitor will still make it, and I now prepare in moderate portions instead of elaborate, so if any food remains after eating, I'll allow it to be properly cool store it a clean container and refrigerate. Then I also used to reheat only the portion we will eat at a time instead of everything.

• Another reason for food waste in my home is the frequent power outages. Sometimes I prepare soup in large quantities with the intention of storing it in the refrigerator. However, after cooking, the electricity may go off, and at times I may not have the means to power the fridge. This can cause the soup to spoil, leading to food waste.

To reduce this problem, I usually make provisions in advance by preparing alternative sources of power. Whenever possible, I use a generator to keep the refrigerator running. If that is not possible, I buy ice blocks and place them in the fridge to help maintain a cold temperature and preserve the food until electricity is restored. These measures help me minimize food waste in my home.

I also used to share my food with my neighbors and people in need, instead of leaving it to spoil.

Prepare any one dish and explain how to save it. How do you keep it from spoiling?

Yesterday, I prepared Editan soup, one of our local delicacies.
After serving the meal, I transferred the remaining soup into a smaller pot and allowed it to cool completely. I then placed it in the refrigerator to preserve its freshness. Refrigerating the soup helps prevent it from spoiling and allows us to enjoy it for a few more days.

This afternoon, when I wanted to eat again, I scooped out only the portion I could finish and reheated it instead of warming the entire pot. This keeps the remaining soup fresh, reduces food waste, and prevents spoilage.

What advice would you give families to help reduce food waste at home?

• Only buy what your family needs, and a shopping list will help you with impulse buying.

• Store your food items properly, dry ones in a clean and dry environment, perishables in the refrigerator.

• Cook the quantity of food your family can finish, to avoid unnecessary leftovers.

• Eat leftovers before preparing a fresh meal whenever possible.

• Always check food items regularly and use older products before buying new ones.

• Share extra food with neighbors or people in need instead of allowing it to spoil.

Conclusion:

I believe that reducing food waste begins with a simple daily habits, by planning what we will eat, how we will store the food promptly and appreciate every meal we have because it's a blessings. I will continue practicing these habits and encourage my household and others to do the same because food is precious.

I'm inviting my friends @suboohi, @chant and @ngoenyi to join this contest