By Ajay Thakur

In today’s world, where adopting sustainability is cooler than ever, it is about time this movement entered kitchens as well. After all, eco-conscious practices in the kitchen can help in making a positive impact on the environment. Think about it: every meal prepared, every ingredient added, and every morsel of food thrown away has a ripple effect on the environment, making it vital to adopt sustainability in the kitchen.

So, how does one go about adopting eco-friendly practices in their kitchens? Well, there are two important pillars that can help in doing so: reducing food waste and responsible sourcing practices.

Around 1.6 billion tonnes of food goes to waste each year, and shockingly, much of it is perfectly edible. This is especially concerning given the widespread hunger in many underdeveloped regions. What’s worse, wasting food also means wasting precious resources like water, land, and energy.

When it comes to sourcing food, turning a blind eye to where our ingredients come from can lead to harmful environmental practices and exploitation of farmers and communities. But fear not! There are plenty of simple yet effective ways to make a positive impact by adopting sustainable kitchen practices. With just a few tweaks, we can minimize food waste and ensure ethical food procurement, making our kitchens eco-friendly without major overhauls.

Food Wastage: Getting Clever with Leftovers

Food wastage is a notorious villain lurking in every kitchen, to the extent that around one-third of all food produced globally goes wasted. How do you go about fixing such a major problem on a personal level? One of the easiest ways to do it is through proper meal planning. Think of it as planning your work schedule, where you take a few minutes each week to plan your meals, using what you already have and making a list of what you need. It saves time, money, and ensures nothing goes to waste.

Also read: Sustainable solutions: A look inside eco-friendly practices reshaping housing industry

Once the planning is done, it is equally important to ensure that the food is stored correctly to prolong its freshness. Using airtight containers, freezer bags, and storage wraps will help in keeping your fruits and veggies fresh.

No matter how hard one tries, there are bound to be some leftovers at the end of every meal, which usually end up in the waste bin. However, getting creative with leftovers and repurposing them into a different food item could be a game-changer. For instance, leftover bread can be turned into croutons and crumbs, whereas instead of throwing pasta water, it can be used to water plants.

Know your roots: Why Your Food’s Origin is a Big Deal

Sustainability in the kitchen is not limited to how the food is treated, but also depends on where the food comes from. The farm-to-fork process being ethical and non-exploitative across the value chain is vital in having a comprehensive impact on the environment. One of the best ways to ensure this is by sourcing local produce. Shopping at local mandis that bring produce from neighbouring farms not only helps in reducing transport emissions, but also supports local farmers and promotes food security.

As far as the quality of food is concerned, certifications are your best friends. Procuring food labelled as organic or fair trade ensures that it was produced using fair labour practices while prioritizing social and environmental responsibility.

Going for that seasonal stuff is another way to adopt sustainability. By doing so, you end up picking stuff that are already in abundance and hasn’t utilised any extra resources to make. It is a great addition to your culinary experience where you get the freshest stuff while minimizing your carbon footprint. In essence, adopting sustainable kitchen practices isn’t just a trend, but is about making conscious decisions that help leave a brighter future for the generations to come. By planning meals, using leftovers creatively, choosing local ingredients, reducing packaging, and saving water and energy, we all contribute to a greener food system. So, next time you’re planning a meal, remember: “Every Bite Counts!”

(The author is Head Chef at Hitchki and Henpecked. Views expressed are personal and not necessarily those of financialexpress.com.)