Supermarket cookery lessons cut food waste

Supermarkets could educate consumers as it is found that cookery lessons cut food waste.

Supermarkets should offer shoppers cookery lessons as well as advice on proper storage to help cut down on food waste, according to a new study.

Research from Brazil by the Cornell Food and Brand Lab and the Getulio Vargas Foundation, found that the top causes of food waste in homes include buying too much, preparing in abundance, unwillingness to consume leftovers and improper food storage.

The researchers recommend that grocery stores offer educational sessions with cooking tips and storage techniques – a strategy that would build store loyalty and help consumers to waste less.

“Fortunately, most of the factors that lead to food waste, can be easily remedied by simple changes in food buying, preparing, and storing,” said lead author Gustavo Porpino.

For the study, in-home interviews were conducted with the mothers of twenty lower-middle class families from two suburbs of Sao Paulo, Brazil to collect information about each family’s shopping, cooking, and disposal practices. Each family was also observed and photographed preparing, eating and disposing of food.

Based on interviews and in-home observations, the researchers found the practice that resulted in the most food waste was simply buying too much food, followed by preparing food in abundance.

Furthermore, the researchers found that strategies that are intended to save money such as buying in bulk and shopping monthly – rather than more frequently, and cooking from scratch, actually contributed to the generation of food waste and ultimately did not result in savings.

“Teaching home cooks efficient meal and shopping planning strategies and proper food storage techniques can have a significant impact on reducing food waste and saving money,” says Porpino.

Michael Bennett of environmental PR specialist Pelican Communications commented: ‘It’s fascinating that the causes of food waste are similar in Europe and South America. Whilst it might not be the responsibility of UK supermarkets to educate consumers of reducing food waste, there is clearly an on-going need for the ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ campaign to improve consumers’ knowledge and change behaviour.’

Pelican Communications are specialists in the environment, food and drink, outdoor and leisure and packaging sectors and offer a range of services such as media relations, brand management, event management and people development. Contact us for marketing and communications expertise.