Waste not want not - tips for Kilkenny households to avoid food waste this Christmas 

As Christmas hurtles towards us, there is excitement and a desire to celebrate. However there is a tendency at Christmas to over-consume when it comes to food and drink, so a bit of careful planning in advance can avoid food waste which is not only unsustainable and damaging to the environment, it also costs you money.

Throwing  away food is literally throwing away money and that is something that no-one sane and sensible wants to do.  So, to stay sustainable and solvent this festive season adhere to the following simple tips to avoid wasting food.

Plan your Christmas menu and meals in advance. Try to remember what you threw away last year and cut back or avoid those items totally this year. Don’t buy what your family doesn’t like: brussels sprouts may be traditional but they aren’t compulsory.

Remember you probably buy too much most years and restrain your impulse to cram way too much into your trolley. Calm down and remember that the supermarkets are open again soon after Christmas Day.

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Found objects turned into anti litter art by Kilbline artist

Make a list and stick to it. Discipline yourself into only buying what you need and what you have planned to use. Try to avoid impulse buying which can lead to waste. Also check your cupboard and freezer before you do your large food shop to avoid duplication. 

Avoid BOGOF offers as they are usually the most wasted items, especially in terms of fresh foodstuffs. Also check use by and best before dates to ensure that they suit your schedule and items will still be in date when you plan to use them.

Store all food safely. Correctly stored foods last longer. As fridge space can be tight, free up space in advance. Freeze what you can - remember that more can be frozen than you might realise. Bread, milk and cooked veg can all be frozen.

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Cinderella at the Watergate Theatre a fun-filled fairy tale production to blow away the post-Christmas blues’

Don’t go OTT on portions. Don’t overfeed people: consider letting people choose their own portions from self-serve platters and dishes instead. 

Don’t throw away left-overs - keep them to use again in creative ways; soups, curries, quiches etc. Cool, store and use  food again wherever possible.