The Mindful Food Shop

If you haven't heard of the Pantry Challenge, it's basically where you spend a period of time using up everything in your pantry, fridge and/or your freezer and secret snack drawer (guilty) before allowing yourself to go food shopping.

By doing this:

• You save money by not going food shopping during the time of the challenge - see how long you can go!
• You save food waste by using up everything you have – and it's likely to make you take more care of your left-overs.
• It allows for a fresh start in the kitchen. Acting as a culinary spring clean, it creates space the for ingredients you really use and love.

Still need some inspo? Check out Jessica Fisher's archive where she gives a week-by-week insight to her own 2019 Pantry Challenge, as well as more info on how you can get started.

It seems a given, but making an accurate shopping list before every shop may really help reduce your food waste as you know exactly what to get – not what to guess.

Likewise, making a meal plan for the week helps ensure you utilise everything that you buy, without leaving those spring onions to go sad and wrinkly at the back of the fridge. If you're unsure where to start, click here to find a short guide we've found useful!

Most importantly: are you ready?

Checking that you are mentally prepared to go shopping could influence what goes in your basket.

Hungry? Eat something before you go to prevent those impulse buys that may not get used.

Tired or run-down? Take someone with you to make it a more enjoyable experience, food shopping doesn't always have to be a chore!

Time of day OK for you? Some people find peak-times more stressful when shopping and maybe don't get the most out of their trip – resulting in over-shopping or having to go back. Pick a time that works for you, whether it be first thing in the morning or late at night to get the reduced section in its prime (hint hint)…

So, you've made it. Shopping list in one hand, trolley in the other. You've just woofed a snack en route to prevent that hungry devil-shopper on your shoulder. It's 3:32pm – and you just love Aldi at 3:32pm. It's time for Phase 3. How to tackle the ultimate beast. Reducing food waste while shopping - really? Really.

Save on your fruit and veg….

• Buy loose single bananas rather than those in bunches, as people are less likely to buy singles and they're more likely to end up going to waste
• While you're there… buy loose produce all together! That way you get the exact quantity you need… you get the idea. This one also helps fight against single-use plastics - win win!
• Many supermarkets like Morrisons and Tesco have started to incorporate 'wonky veg' to their grocery aisles – take part! These are the poor buggers that are still perfectly OK to eat but would've gone to waste purely down to their aesthetics. Don't judge a pomegranate by its bumps, and all that?
• Buy what's in season! We love this snippet of advice from Stop Food Waste IE:

'More than half of all food waste occurs along the supply chain. Buying locally and in season can help reduce the risk of food becoming waste before it gets to the shelves.'

Find the whole article here.

Everything else….

• Save yourself some pennies and help fight food waste by buying from the clearance section. You can grab some real bargains on our everyday essentials! More to grab after about 6pm, so choose your time wisely.
• Deceiving labels! If something says 'best before' it’s often perfectly fine – it's only the USE BY date that you need to worry about.

Beyond the supermarket...

• Support your locals where you can! Visit the local grocers, butcher, health food shop and farmers market for the freshest and most nutritious produce that probably travelled the least amount miles to get to you – reducing your environmental impact in that way… Everything counts! Never mind the countless reasons why we should support our local independent businesses more, anyway – but that’s a separate article (rant diverted).
• Veg box schemes are becoming more and more popular nationwide for those who like to get fresh, seasonal, organic and sometimes even surplus (!!) produce delivered to the door. These are a great option if you don’t have time to get hold of local, seasonal groceries regularly or for those who want to try something new and get creative with whatever goodness you're given.

Find your nearest supplier with this great guide by the Organic Soil Association.