How can we keep our food fresh even in the heat?

But how much do we waste?

On average, a Hungarian throws away 24 kg of food per year, and this number could be significantly reduced if fewer products spoiled on our shelves and in our refrigerators. Although the situation is improving – based on NÉBIH data, 27 percent less food and food ingredients went into the bins in 2023 than in 2016 – there are still many people who use their refrigerators less consciously, especially in the summer. However, by following the rules below, we can easily prevent waste.

Let’s plan!

As a first step, let’s think about what existing – possibly perishable – raw materials we have, what time frame we plan for, and what kind of food we want to prepare. How long will the raw materials be good for it, then when buying, try to keep this in mind and not “overbuy”. And in the summer, there may be cases where this also becomes an obstacle, for example, after a garden party or a vacation in an apartment – where we prepare the food – there may inevitably be even larger quantities of raw materials or ready-made food left over.

Let’s sort the food

Not all of the food you buy needs to go into the fridge. It is important to pay attention to this not only because certain foods can be harmed by the continuous cold environment, but also because if we do not constantly fill the refrigerator to overflowing, then the internal air can circulate comfortably in it, and this helps the efficient operation of the refrigerator, and also the food they stay fresh longer.