Food waste: Cut your grocery bill by eating better

In Quebec, food waste costs an average of $1,300 per household each year. More than 1.2 million tons of food will be thrown away in 2022. With these statistics, Quebec is moving forward in the fight against food waste. But what can be done to avoid food waste?

Eric Ménard, an expert in the fight against food waste, stated in an interview with Quebec Matin that first, it is essential to look at what you already have at home, and then you will be done.

“Often, we start from the desire to buy certain foods, we go to the grocery store to buy a lot of new foods, when other foods are lost in the fridge. “, he adds.

Highly perishable items such as fruits, vegetables or meats should be on your priority list. “We have to adjust our menu based on what we already have to waste less,” Mr Menard said.

Also, having a list at the grocery store is a good option to avoid buying foods you don’t need.

You can still take advantage of discounts if you want, but “you have to do it smartly, with clarity,” he notes.

Often, if you don’t know when to use a discount, it’s best not to take advantage of it. “We buy two of a broccoli and we waste one of the two, we don’t get our money back”, began the expert.

“Throwing away food is throwing away money!”

The more food you throw away, the higher your bill will be.

Being in an over-consumption society makes waste smaller. People think, “Why am I eating a product that is not healthy? When I can throw it away and buy another one?” He stated.

However, it is important to change methods at this level.

Expiry dates should not be seen as an obligation to throw away food after the date listed.

For professionals, monitoring and good awareness are essential to avoid waste.

“That doesn’t mean you have to throw them away, you just have to eat them sooner after the date has passed. It’s not because it was better before, it’s not because it’s better after,” Mr. Menard concluded.