Turn Waste into Something Tasty: Recipes for the Top 5 Wasted Foods

When I was younger, I had always wondered why world hunger was an issue. In the booming age of technology, why were we unable to serve a universal basic need to the world? 

The jarring reality that “17 percent of the total food production is wasted in households” had been so cruelly juxtaposed by the fact that “691 and 783 million people faced hunger in 2022”. Even given these statistics, you may be asking yourself… Why is it important that I conserve food and reduce food waste? 

Wasted food disregards the amount of effort and time and resources that were put into that food. Machinery, labor, water, fertilizer, and money go to waste when we throw food away. This makes us buy more food and therefore, contribute to the demand in food production – which accounts for 26% of global GHG emissions. Additionally, from an economic standpoint, it reduces  a family or an individual’s food security and the amount of food that is available, while leading to higher prices. Ultimately, food waste is a disadvantage for ourselves and the world – it contributes to climate change and can lead to significant loss of our money. 

Here I have the top 5 most wasted foods – attached with recipes you can make when it gets too old or stale. 

1. Bread 
   1. Bread Crumbs 
   2. Croutons
   3. Bread Pudding
   4. Bruschetta
   5. Stale Bread Cake Recipe
2. Milk 
   1. Ricotta Cheese
   2. Replace Buttermilk
   3. Soda Bread 
   4. Bolognese sauce
   5. Gardening
3. Potatoes
   1. Shepherd’s Pie
   2. Potato latkes
   3. Ham and Potato Soup
   4. Oven-baked rosti cake
   5. Sweet potato hash with poached eggs
4. Cheese
   1. Although there aren’t many recipes on how to conserve old and stale cheese, there are some important things to know on how we store cheese and whether we can eat moldy cheese. Unsurprisingly, soft cheese with mold cannot be eaten, however hard cheese can be eaten if you cut 1-inch around the mold spot. In terms of storing the cheese, it’s vital to wrap and store based on the type of cheese, but generally, you should wrap it in wax paper or plastic wrap after every use. 
5. Apples
   1. Caramel Apple Pie Bars
   2. Apple Pan Dowdy
   3. Apple Sauce
   4. Apple Crisp
   5. Apple Butter

Sources: 

https://ourworldindata.org/environmental-impacts-of-food#:~:text=used%20for%20agriculture.-,Food%20is%20responsible%20for%20one%2Dquarter%20of%20the%20world’s%20emissions,of%20global%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions.&text=This%20includes%20emissions%20from%20land,transport%2C%20packaging%2C%20and%20retail.

https://www.simplyrecipes.com/collection/10_easy_recipes_to_use_up_a_bunch_of_potatoes/

https://www.un.org/en/observances/end-food-waste-day#:~:text=When%20food%20is%20lost%20or,emissions%2C%20 contributing%20to%20 climate%20change.

https://www.rivercottage.net/news/top-five-most-wasted-foods-and-ways-to-save-them-from-the-bin

https://www.foodhero.com/en/blogs/the-8-most-wasted-foods

https://www.delish.com/uk/food-news/a44699514/what-to-make-with-soured-milk/

https://www.thekitchn.com/8-smart-uses-for-not-so-great-apples-tips-from-the-kitchn-61086

https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/cooking-tips/slideshow/stale-bread

https://www.kitchenaid.com/pinch-of-help/countertop-appliances/what-to-do-with-stale-bread.html

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food-news/9-interesting-things-you-can-do-with-curdled-milk/photostory/88081207.cms?picid=88081226