Love Food, Hate Waste: The Festive Guide to Smarter Shopping

The festive season is upon us, and with it comes the temptation of overstocking our fridges. Yet, amidst all the craziness of holiday planning, it’s time to rethink how we shop, and why we shop the way we do.

In Paris, I couldn’t help but marvel at the street-corner greengrocers, bustling bakeries, butchers, and fishmongers, each offering produce loose and fresh. No plastic nets of too-many carrots, no unnecessary plastic trays. Just the opportunity to buy what you need and enjoy it at its freshest. It’s a stark contrast to the UK, so I was interested to hear Aldi is trialling loose fruit and veg across select Northern stores this festive season.  

This includes festive favourites like parsnips and carrots, and if the trial succeeds, we could see more produce sans packaging nationwide. Catherine David from WRAP applauds Aldi's initiative, stating:

“A household of four throws away on average £1,000 of food each year, costing the planet’s precious resources, and people’s pockets. By selling more items loose, people will be able to buy only what they need, save money, and cut the use of single-use packaging; a real win-win-win!”

The stats speak volumes. Wastage happens when shoppers are forced into buying bulk produce that spoils before being eaten. With legislation in place requiring supermarkets to tackle food waste by 2025, WRAP is pushing for 50% of uncut fruit and veg to be sold loose by 2030. Supermarkets like Waitrose already lead the charge with over 100 loose product lines, while Sainsbury's, Tesco, and Morrisons offer a decent variety too.

Choosing loose isn’t just better for the planet; it’s better for your Christmas dinner. Less food waste, less packaging waste, and more money saved for those festive indulgences.

This Christmas: buy loose, choose what you’ll use, and embrace smart shopping habits. After all, nothing says “Happy Holidays” like a greener, less wasteful world.