Households throw away 1.96kg of food per day, on average, which is equivalent to eight meals per week, according to The Eco Experts. Unsurprisingly, fresh produce, namely fruit and vegetables , are among the most common items wasted by Britons, and potatoes top the chart.
Data shared by WRAP revealed that a staggering 4,400,000 potatoes are thrown away, daily. Milk, carrots, ham and tomatoes make up the remaining items in the top five, but potatoes race ahead with 1,300,000 more wasted per day than the second worst culprit, milk, at 3,100,000. With this in mind, Vlatka Lake, a storage expert at Space Station, has offered some tips on how to properly store autumnal vegetables.
She revealed a clever hack that allows potato fans to stop spuds from rotting for weeks - even months. Potatoes, whether homegrown or bought from the supermarket, need proper storage to prevent them from sprouting, softening, or even worse, becoming mouldy. According to Vlatka, potatoes last the longest when stored in a cool, dry, dark place as exposure to light and moisture can cause them to rot.
The same applies to other root vegetables like carrots and turnips. She said: "Storing them this way ensures they'll be good for weeks, or possibly all winter long." Unlike many other vegetables, potatoes also need to be well-ventilated, so it's best to avoid using airtight containers for spud storage.
This is contrary to other advice by the likes of Kate Hall, food expert and founder of The Full Freezer, who a.
