Australia has faced a massive fruit and veg shortage crisis, and this has seen food prices
jump by 5.3 percent in supermarket giants, Coles and Woolwoths. With predictions for prices
to peak at the end of the year, now is more important than ever to find ways to extend the life
of your groceries, reduce food waste, and save money where possible. Lucky for you, we’ve
got 5 easy tips for achieving these goals!
1. Buy fruit and vegetables in season
Produce grown in their appropriate season is generally in peak supply and likely to be much
cheaper than food grown out of season! They are also more nutrient-rich and taste better
than when grown out of season.
2. Buy from your local farmers market
Check around to see if there is a local farmers market near by. Buying your groceries directly
from the source removes the middle person and saves you money! This not only directly
supports local communities, but also reduces your food miles (the distance from the source
to the consumer), meaning you’ll also reduce your own carbon footprint. Plus, you’ll always
be buying in-season produce! Farmers market Facebook pages are likely to share weekly
seasonal tips too!
3. Bulk buy produce and invest in smart storage
We all know buying in bulk gives the most savings, however most households are put off
from doing this with the fear of produce wilting and rotting within just a few days since
purchasing. Knowing how to best store your food properly is one of the most effective ways
to reduce food waste. Ever notice condensation (or sweating) building up inside the plastic
bag or container your veggies are packaged or stored in? Fresh produce is living and
breathing, and all living things need air and water to surviveI. So it’s important to store
produce in a plastic-free, breathable alternative like the Veggie Saver, a reusable, award-
winning produce bag that is scientifically proven to keep fruit and vegetables fresh for 2+
weeks in the crisper of the fridge. Its patented design features multiple layers of unbleached
and unseeded cotton, each playing an important role in keeping produce fresh for longer,
and is non-toxic, non-allergenic and 100% compostable at the end of its very long life (5+
years). Veggie Saver is a smart investment that will ensure any excess produce you buy will
be kept fresh, crunchy and nutrient-rich well into the new year!
4. Freeze or dehydrate food
Do you have leftovers you know you won’t finish within the week, or extra bread that you’re
dreading to throw away? Freeze them until you need them! Not only will you save yourself
money on food gone to waste, but you’ll also have more meals using the food you already
have. If you have extra fruits, dehydrate them and store in an air-tight jar to pop into teas,
cooking recipes, or eat as-is!
5. Search for offers, coupons, sales and reward programs
Some supermarkets or green grocers offer coupons or rewards programs in which you can
receive discounts or points for your purchases. You can redeem the reward points for cash,
or use towards your next purchase and save! It’s always a good idea to check your
supermarket catalogue for their latest sales and specials to earn additional reward points
and save even more!
Words by Peita Pini
