Food Hints and Tips Page (Reach Out)

Did you know that over 7 million tonnes of food and drink is thrown away in the UK every year. From meal leftovers to fresh fruit and veg that was forgotten about, much of what we throw away could have been eaten with a bit of forward planning. Making small changes to our everyday habits can make a huge difference to the waste we produce and the money we spend. Consciously making different choices can mean you spend less money on food shops.

When it comes to saving money on your weekly shop and cutting back on your spending overall, looking at how you shop and what you buy is a good place to start. Making a list of what's in your fridge, freezer and cupboards will help ensure you use it all up, rather than wasting and restocking. Read on for more ideas on saving money when it comes to food.

Make a plan

Planning out your meals for the week is a great way to cut the cost of a weekly shop and is key to avoiding waste and overspending on bits you won't actually use. It helps to make sure that you buy what you need and arent tempted by other products.

Batch cook if you can

Try batch cooking your meals to use all ingredients in one go. Freeze portions to have the week ahead or when fresh food runs out.

Use frozen

Use frozen, meat, fish and vegetables to reduce the cost of meals. You'll be amazed at how much you can save by making the swap.

Do your big shop in the evening

Shop in the evenings and stock up on yellow sticker items which you can freeze to eat at a later time.

Lots of foods can be frozen - even milk and bread, so grab these when they're on special offer or if they aren't going to be used up before ther go bad.

Look at how you store foods

Are your storing your foods properly? Ensuring items are stored properly will stop them going off before their time. Potetoes and onions are best kept in dark storage, and salads are better wrapped in paper not plastic.

Try food apps

Some great apps can help you pick up some good quality food for free or much-reduced costs. Apps like 'Olio' connect you with people giving away food (and household items).

'Too Good To Go' tells you when restaurants and shops are getting rid of food for a fraction of the cost, just because it has not been sold on time. Retailers like Greggs, Costa, and Crown Carveries are all on there.

Take stock regularly

Keep track of food bills over a few weeks or months if you can. You'll be able to see whether your bills are rising, how they are changing and whether there are other ways to save

Make the most out of leftovers

The 'Love Food Hate Waste' website has some great recipe ideas for meals using leftovers. It also contains advice on how to store food so it does not go off as quickly.

With the cost of every day items going up, food shopping can seem like a growing expense, but cooking substantial and healthy meals doesn’t have to cost the earth. There are some great recipes available online for cooking on a budget, and keep an eye out on local Facebook groups or Vinted for unwanted recipe books. Jamie Oliver and Jack Monroe are two celebrities who regularly share ideas and inspiration for cheap and easy meals through their websites and social media pages. Check out links to their websites, and other useful links below.

We have 10 copies of Cooking on a bootstrap’ recipe book by award-winning cookery writer and anti-poverty campaigner Jack Monroe. All you need to do is complete the short form below. 10 names will then be chosen at random on Friday 28th April and a copy of the recipe book will be sent direct to your door within 10 days.

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