Shopping to reduce waste: what kind of cook are you?

It’s been received wisdom for years that a weekly shop is the most economical and least wasteful way of shopping. I guess this is a symptom of out-of-town shopping centres and changing lifestyles. But I don’t think that’s the case for everyone. To reduce your waste I would encourage you to ask yourself the question ‘what kind of cook am I?’ and shop accordingly.

For me a weekly shop does not work. I am not a planner and I like to decide what to cook on the day I want to eat. Checking exactly what’s in my cupboards for that meal, then going out to the shops with my tote and buying specifically for that meal with a few extras to top up the cupboards, breakfast or snacks is the way we waste the least. Granted, I live close to a lot of shops which I know is not the case for everyone.

When I do an online shop, I stock up on tins, jars and some (non-refillable) cleaning products and household stuff, then I shop daily for each meal or each couple of meals. It means I am on top of what’s in my cupboards, in my fridge and I use what I buy; nothing gets forgotten about. This method may not work for you, though. So I’ve laid out the kind of cooks I most often come across here.

Having spent a lot of time teaching cooking, both in people’s homes all over the UK and the US, and observing how different people shop, cook and prep, I think that cooks generally fall into three camps: daily cooks, weekly planners and batch cooks. What kind of cook are you?

DAILY COOKS - those who decide what to cook day by day

How to waste less

• Do a monthly shop for long-life, storecupboard goods you know you will use.
• Before you do that monthly shop, do a quick audit (this might be the night before, if you are going to shop on your way home from work) of what’s in your cupboards and fridge.
• If your schedule permits, do a daily or every-other-day shop for fresh fruit, veg, dairy, bread etc.
• Buy loose fruit and veg so you are not left with leftovers from large packets.
• Store any leftovers in the freezer if you will not eat them within 2 days.
• Do a bi-monthly look at everything in your cupboard. If things need to be used up, move them to the front of the cupboard, then write a list of those things and stick it on the front of your cupboard so you can keep them in mind when you decide what to cook.
• I find limiting the amount I can buy to one tote bag’s-worth makes sure I do not keep adding extra things we don’t need.

WEEKLY PLANNERS - Those who love to plan or those who are unable to shop frequently

How to waste less

• Before you shop, do a good audit of what’s in your cupboards and fridge.
• Write a detailed shopping list based on recipes, with amounts that you can refer back to at the shops to make sure you don’t overbuy fresh food.
• Buy loose veg so you are not left with huge leftovers from large bags.
• Avoid being tempted by offers and 2-for-1 deals. If you waste the excess, it’s not a good deal; if you know you will use it or can adapt a recipe then go for it.
• Do not shop when you are hungry.
• If you shop once a week then it is key to make sure your food is stored carefully, suggestions below.
• Make sure you cook the food you buy. If plans change and you don’t cook, then double-cook the night after and freeze that meal. Or take into account what food may last until next week and shop accordingly the week after.
• Try to cook the things with a shorter life early in the week and the things which may last longer at the end.

BATCH COOKS - Those who cook a couple of meals to last throughout the week

How to waste less

• Before you shop, do a quick audit of what’s in your cupboards and fridge.
• Plan out the number of meals you want to make and be sure you have containers to freeze any excess.
• Write a detailed shopping list and stick to it – how often you write it is down to you – see the notes above and below depending whether it’s weekly or daily.
• Don’t be tempted by offers and other things unless you know exactly how to use them or they can be cooked and stored in the freezer.
• Think about toppings – if you are eating the same things for a few meals, think about varying what you put on top (this can be a good way to use up leftover herbs, breadcrumbs, stray nuts and seeds etc).
• If you are unsure if you will eat leftovers, freeze them; don’t forget about them in the back of the fridge.