Turkey sandwiches are a favourite to use Christmas leftovers and help reduce food waste

A recent EPA survey found that 44 per cent of people reported that they waste more food at Christmas, with over 70 per cent admitting that they buy extra food ‘just in case’ they have unexpected visitors. 

The figures show that households produce over 220,000 tonnes of food waste each year, and 42 per cent said that Brussels sprouts are their most commonly wasted food at Christmas.

Stop Food Waste has five top tips for everyone in Leitrim to help them reduce their festive food waste and make the most of their leftovers.

1. Plan your Christmas menu: Think back to last Christmas and the types of food you wasted. Perhaps it was food you or your family didn’t like. Or maybe you stocked up on too many basics like milk and bread or bought in too large a quantity? Whether you are having a small or sizeable festive gathering this year, plan how much food you will need for the number of people joining you. 

2. Stick to your Christmas shopping list: Write your Christmas food shopping list before you leave the house. Check what items you already have in your cupboards and freezer so you only buy the food you need. 

3. Store your Christmas food properly: Storing food properly will help it last longer.

4. Cooking enough Christmas fare: Avoid cooking too much over Christmas by anticipating how much your family and guests will eat. A good tip is to allow everyone to serve themselves from large serving dishes instead of plating individual meals, as we are more likely to save leftovers from serving dishes.

5. Remember to use Christmas leftovers: Leftovers are delicious ingredients for your next snack or dinner. Once cooled, store leftovers in reusable, resealable tubs in the fridge to be eaten and not forgotten.

Odile Le Bolloch, Food Waste Prevention Team Lead at the EPA, said: “Christmas is a time for celebrating, but the festive season means more food and extra leftovers. By taking simple steps to manage our food, we can trim our shopping bills, save time and reduce our impact on the environment. 

“Think back to last Christmas to pinpoint what types of food were wasted and then plan how much food you actually need. And remember your local supermarkets and shops in Leitrim won’t be closed for long! We are encouraging every household in Leitrim to reduce their festive food waste and make the most of the leftovers - especially on St. Stephen’s Day, which we like to call National Leftovers Day.”