Five Ways to Live Sustainably Through Food

How and what we eat has an impact on the environment.

There are many simple and achievable ways to live more sustainably, such as eating more conscious meals.

HelloFresh has come up with five simple steps that will help you to live a more sustainable life through food.

TIP ONE: Reduce Waste

We live in a fast-paced world involving balancing work, social activities, hobbies and other commitments.

This makes it tricky to keep tabs on the food we purchase versus the food we consume.

In a recent study involving 1,000 Kiwi’s, it was found that 76 per cent discarded food to the value of $25 every week.

For a household budget of $150 a week, this represents around a sixth of the total budget.

Keeping an eye on what you purchase and put on the plate is an easy way to reduce food waste, here are some suggestions on how to do so.

1. Shop smarter by planning ahead. Make a detailed meal plan before shopping, considering what you have on that week.
   
   
2. Opt for a meal kit service. HelloFresh can help you cut food waste by up to 21 per cent per meal by directly sourcing and delivering the exact amount of ingredients needed.
   
   

TIP TWO: Get Creative

Using leftovers is a great way to save time, money and the planet, and it doesn’t have to mean eating the same meal for the entire week!

Here are some leftover recipe inspirations:

• Leftover mashed potatos are extremely versatile. Pan fry them with herbs to make croquettes or transform them into pancakes for the next morning.
  
  
• Turn cold rice into sweet chai pudding or add garlic to create savoury stuffed tomatoes.
  
  
• Create a whole new dinner by using leftover ham in man ‘n’ cheese or on mini pizzas.
  
  
• Hannah Gilbert, dietitian and HelloFresh head of culinary recommends blending leftover fruit and veggies with ice, milk or yoghurt, peanut butter and other nutrient rich ingredients for a speedy and nutritious smoothie.
  
  

TIP THREE: Grow Food at Home

Growing food in your garden is a great way to enjoy healthy, fresh and delicious produce that is free from carbon emissions and packaging waste.

Not only is it good for the environment, but it’s also a potential new hobby and a great learning opportunity.

Start off small with fresh herbs and veggies, before moving onto more finicky produce.

TIP FOUR: Give Meatless Monday a Try

Meatless Mondays are the latest trend many people are trying out!

Going vegetarian or plant-based for one day a week is a great way to place less stress on the planet.

Setting a challenge to do this once a week is a great start!

TIP FIVE: Back Local Producers

Buying and using local produce has several benefits for the environment and economy.

While it can be difficult to shop small, supporting local producers can have a positive impact on the planet.

Thought starters:

1. If it’s a struggle to find time to get around multiple shops, too expensive, or you simply don’t know where to start, try our HelloFresh. They work with trusted, local New Zealand suppliers and aim to use as few imported ingredients as possible to reduce the effects on the environment and help New Zealand suppliers where they can.
   
   
2. A simple and cost-effective way to shop locally is heading to local farmers markets to purchase produce during its peak season. This way you’re more likely to be purchasing fresh and local ingredients. It’s also a great way to mis up your diet throughout the year and save money by shopping in season.
   
   
3. Before heading to the supermarket, research and identify local brands that supply the items you’re after. You can also check labels during your shop as these will often clarify where the food comes from.