Did you know….
58% of all food produced in Canada is lost or waste
The average Canadian household wastes almost $2,000 of food every year!
Surprisingly, best before dates are an enormous contributor to food waste! That’s because we perceive them as expiry dates and that they’re unsafe to consume, and we toss them!
Only 5 types of food in Canada have true expiry dates. They are:
- Baby formula
- Meal replacements or supplement bars
- Meal supplement drinks
- Formulated liquid diets
- Foods used in low-energy diets
Best before dates only give information about the freshness and potential shelf-life of the unopened food you are buying. “Best before” does not mean “bad or unsafe after.”
Not tossing food because it’s past the Best Before Date can save us money and our environment.
Here are some ideas to use up food you may otherwise be tempted to toss
- dice leftover apple slices or berries, add to pancakes, oatmeal, or muffins (or freeze and use later)
- freeze extra/leftover fruit, veg, avocado, yogurt, milk and use in smoothies
- freeze tomatoes and puree into soup or sauce
- freeze extra chicken/ham/turkey/etc. in small portions and use as pizza toppings, omelettes, casseroles, soups
- prevent an open avocado from turning brown by submerging it in water until you’re ready to eat it
- slice lemon/lime or separate herbs and lay on tray to freeze. Once frozen pack them into bags and use for refreshing, naturally flavoured water (or club soda)
Visit Second Harvest for more info.
Nutrition Services Team 204-856-2055