With a capsule chamber against food waste – advice from the Nébih Maradék nélkül program

According to the 2024 household waste survey of the Nébih Without Leftovers program, the two most common causes of food waste in Hungarian households are related to inadequate planning. 7.5 kg of avoidable food waste per capita ends up in the trash every year because we forgot about it or bought too much of it and it has expired or spoiled. Tracking your home food stock, for example by setting up a capsule pantry, can help prevent this.

A capsule pantry is not about hoarding, but about conscious stockpiling. The essence of it is to create a set of basic foods that are versatile, can be combined well with each other, and can be stored for a long time, in line with the eating habits of the household. The basic set created in this way can provide everyday help in menu planning, thereby reducing unnecessary expenses caused by impulsive purchases.

The first step in putting together a capsule pantry is to map out the consumption habits of the household. It is worth reviewing which foods are often on the table for different meals, and then adjusting the necessary ingredients and quantities to them. Regularly reviewing existing stocks helps avoid overstocking and ensures that food is used before the expiration date. Products with a shelf life can be given a chance even after the expiration date, if their packaging is unopened, they have been stored properly, and there is no change in the color, texture, or smell of the product. In this The No Residue Program Expiration Guide provides useful help, listing the recommended consumption date after the expiration of the quality preservation date by product category.

The basis of the capsule chamber is typically formed by durable foods such as cooking oil, spices, pasta, rice, canned goods and various sauces. These can be supplemented with frozen meats, vegetables and fruits, taking into account the capacity of the household freezer. It is also worth checking the contents of the freezer from time to time, as it is not worth storing food frozen for too long. Frequently consumed products, although with a shorter shelf life – such as yogurts or cold cuts – can also be part of the stock, if we take into account the best before date when buying and consider whether we can really use them before the expiration date. With the table that helps you take inventory without leftovers, we can easily track the contents of the refrigerator, freezer and pantry.

Conscious pantry design is a simple but easy-to-use tool for reducing household food waste in the long term, which should always fit the shopping and eating habits of the given household.