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The Problem

A government study in early July 2008 announced that the UK was wasting 4 million tonnes of food every year.

As living costs are rising, the reported extra £420 that a family spends annually on wasted food is a cause for concern.

Mr Brown also stated that high waste levels are also leading to price rises within the industry.

So how do we get our money to go further on food that will last longer in our pantry?

The Solution

Tim Almy fromÌýwholefood store Soundbites in Derby believes there are lots of ways toÌý get the most out of your groceries especially your fruit and veg!

• When you buy fruit and vegetables in plastic packaging, always remove them from the bag before you store them as it will only make them go off quicker.
  
  
• If food is bagged - BE CAREFUL! There is often a rogue mouldy fruit in the middle of the bag that will be compromising the goodness of the other fruit. Always check before you buy.
  
  
• Always plan what you are going to be eating. You can often go shopping, spend a fortune and come home with nothing to eat. By planning your meals you then only buy the ingredients necessary.
  
  
• Fruit and vegetables are living things so they are not meant to look perfect. Do not be put off if they are a little scuffed or marked.
  
  
• If your fruit and vegetables are too bruised or marked, you could always use them for a smoothie when they will be crushed anyway.
  
  
• As soon as you buy apples, put them in the fridge.
  
  
• If you have a house-plant water sprayer, use this to spray water onto the leafy vegetables in your fridge.
  
  
• Do not be afraid of the calloused stems of a cauliflower. Simply shave them off!
  
  
• Top and tail your carrots before you place them in the fridge.
  
  
• Shop local! Your groceries will not have travelled as far and will be not long out of the ground. The fresher, the better, the longer they will live.
  
  
• If you are keen on beetroot and you buy them whole. Do not throw away the leaves! They can be boiled down just like spinach. If you throw them you could be wasting a third of the goodness.
  
  
• Try Garbage soup. A wartime favourite using all your scraps including potato peelings and excess leaves.
  
  
• Try not to do a big shop. Little and often means that you are only buying what you need and are less likely to waste food.
  
  
• If you decide your fruit and veg are really are past their best, do not throw them away, pop them in the compost and they can still do some good.