Enjoy the flavours of Spring with sustainable recipes and ingredients

Spring has sprung, and with that, so has a new season of locally available foods.

Sustainability in our kitchen doesn’t necessarily mean cutting back on all the good foods we like to enjoy. It is more of a measure of being conscious about how we prepare and get our food. We have five simple tips that will help improve your cooking sustainability and save you money this Spring.

1) Expand your skill set

A great way to save money and broaden your knowledge is to increase your skill set in the kitchen. Takeaway can be convenient at times, but it starts to add up. The key is to not limit yourself to the same simple meals you may be used to. Take advantage of what every culture has to offer, you’ll be amazed by what you didn’t know. Who knows, when we’re able to host our friends and family again you might even be able to surprise them with a novelty cuisine.

2) Shop local

Get to know your local farmer’s market. Local markets are a good way for you to support small business, pick up some garden knowledge and learn about specific cooking techniques. We also like the local markets because they add that extra layer of familiarity and sense of community. Don’t be shy, they are there to help and offer advice.

3) More veg. Less meat.

A surprising fact for many is that the biggest contributor to greenhouse emissions is livestock and farming. We’re not asking you to give meat up completely (the thought of not having a Sunday barbie is simply un-Australian), but mix it up if you can. Try throwing in a few plant-based/vegetarian options into your meal options every week. Your digestive system and pockets will thank you later.

4) Eat seasonally

Purchasing foods that are in season this Spring will allow you to eat more sustainably and save you money. By choosing fruits and vegetables that are ripe this Spring you’ll be saving a motza on extra food costs. If you don’t know where to start, try your local market. They’ll be able to point you in the right direction and you’ll be able to plan your meals accordingly.

5) Reduce food waste

Food waste when compressed in landfill creates methane gas that affects our ozone layer and our beautiful planet. For example, if you’re a family of four, then you would already have a good idea of what portions of food are needed for the week. There's no need to overcompensate and buy extra food you don't need. If you’re lucky enough to have the option, food scraps that are left over make a good mixture for compost.

If you'd like to take the first step to becoming more sustainable in your home, then feel free to take a look at our home electricity plans. We have a range of green energy plans that will complement the environment and your wallet.