KT For Good: Fight against food waste begins at home

The second part of our 14-day series looks into measures adopted by families in the UAE to conserve leftover food at home.

Food waste is money and time down the drain, according to a group of expatriate mums who also said the benefits of reducing such waste are numerous. From planning meals a week in advance to following a 'first in first out' (FIFO) policy in the kitchen, these mothers are able to conserve enormous amounts of food every day. Khaleej Times spoke to a cross-section of expatriate families on the measures they adopt to conserve food at home.
Sanjana Borkotoky and her husband, Aswini K Borkotoky - both long-time Dubai residents - cook for a household of over 10 people. The family has been living in the UAE for 25 years.
"At any given time, my husband and a few distant relatives stay with us along with our cook and driver. Also, my two children who are married and their two kids eat with us. We usually prepare food for the entire family," said Sanjana.
The family does its entire grocery shopping once a month, however, they purchase perishables once a week. "I plan a menu for the week, and our cook follows the menu. We buy fruits, vegetables and poultry once a week. By 10.30am, all the lunch sets are done and we bring the food to the office," she added. "We don't experience food waste as our meals are prepared to scale, and in case there is any excess, it is distributed to the gardener and workers in the neighbourhood."
The family freezes excess curries and fruits and veggies that are close to expiry. "Whatever is left, we give it away to people who need it. Also, I grow the herbs used in cooking at home."
They also purchase their fruits and vegetables in large quantities. "If I sense that the fruits or vegetables are getting spoilt, they are immediately sliced, zip-locked and frozen. "We try and eat a lot of greens and salads," she added.
'It's a habit kids have to learn'
Homemaker Iram Rizvi and husband Faraz Izhar are parents to Mishal Faraz, 12, and Mir Faraz, 8. The family has been in the UAE since 2005. Gearing up for Ramadan, Iram said she and the family eat light for Iftar and have dinner shortly after.
She said it's a "habit that has been instilled in her from a young age". 
"I try and teach my kids to not waste food as well, it is very important."
?Iftar is usually a very light affair. We stick to dates, juice, laban and fruit salad and we completely avoid fried food. We have our dinner shortly after," she said. 
"Generally, we are very strict about food wastage. I think we are blessed not to worry about where our food is coming from." However, Iram said parents need to let children know that food waste is equal to waste of money. 
"Wasting food is being insensitive," she added. "Whenever we go grocery shopping, they are with me. We go through the cabinets and the refrigerator together and we make sure we buy only what we need."
For perishables, the family follows the FIFO rule. "Those that can be stored for a longer time, we keep them at the back. Even while eating out, we only order what we can eat."
'Restaurants serve large portions'
Iram also said she is blessed as her kids are not picky eaters. "I encourage them not to waste food. What is left over from dinner, we eat for Suhoor." 
Though she does not plan her meals, she encourages her kids to participate in anti-food waste campaign and said the restaurant industry needs to be more flexible in serving portion sizes. "When I am eating out, the portion sizes are really large. Restaurants need to cut down the sizes served to avoid wastage."
Amina Soussi, an Algerian national mum of two boys aged 13 and 18, said: "When you have kids, each one has a different taste and preference. After fasting the entire day, they want the best of whatever is available." 
To limit food waste at home, Amina insists that mothers must serve them what they like. "For me, the conservation begins while shopping. Before Ramadan, I go and get stuff that is useful and I do not buy ingredients that we will not use. 
"For example, soup is something kids like. Also, nutrition is important. During Iftar, we focus on fruits and juices as well," she explained. Amina also chops herbs and keeps them in the freezer before they get spoilt. "I don't cook big portions. I only cook for the day or a maximum of two days so it does not get wasted. I take leftover stuffing and turn it into patties or Arabic samosas, instead of wasting them," she said.
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

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