About one-third of the food produced in the world becomes garbage (UNEP). Food´s production causes climate-warming effects, eutrophication of watercourses and, furthermore, food packaging may end up being eaten by animals or injure their body. For example, plastic waste kills one million waterbirds a year.

Most of household’s trashed food is due to poor grocery shopping planning or change of plans. In Finland, food waste amount rises up to about 131 million euros per year. Consequently, you save a lot of money if you only buy what you eat. Cooking what you would would waste can be creative and fun. Plenty of what you call leftovers are actually well suited for the next meal.

Paying attention to labeling makes it possible to make significant savings. The best before date is not the same as the expiration date. The best before-labeled products can best be checked using your own senses. Many products are still quite edible. For example, acidified cream or old milk can be used for baking, even though they could no longer be used alone. By purchasing discounted products, you can save money while reducing the amount of waste that is landfilled. Slightly shabby fruits or vegetables can be rescued by removing the spoiled parts if needed. For example, banana bread, smoothies or banana pepper cake can be made from over-ripe bananas.

By reducing your waste you make a good action for the environment and our climate. One way of reducing the food waste is to participate in Keru’s operation. Everyone can have food for free from Keru community fridge for his or her own use. Your own surplus dishes can also be partitioned through Keru. Keru utilizes and distributes surplus food for shops and restaurants, while developing a new, communal urban culture. It lowers the threshold for grassroots activity and promotes the community and sharing culture.

The Keru concept also offers the opportunity to work voluntarily as a part of our other team. We offer a concrete way to learn and participate in reducing food waste and thus be part of a global problem’s solution. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact Mari Sahlstén, mari.sahlsten@gmail.com.