Philipsburg, Sint Maarten — This week marks the Week Against Food Waste, a global call to action to reduce the millions of tons of food that are thrown away every year while still being perfectly good to eat. The Freegan Food Foundation is raising awareness here on Sint Maarten about one of the biggest sources of food waste: confusion around expiration dates.
Many people are unsure of the difference between “Best Before” and “Use By” dates, and as a result, they throw away food that is still safe and nutritious.
• Best Before dates are about quality, not safety. Products may lose a little flavor, texture, or color after this date, but they are still safe to eat if stored properly. Dry foods like pasta, rice, and canned goods often last long after their best-before date.
• Use By dates are about safety. Foods such as fresh meat, fish, and dairy should not be eaten after this date, as harmful bacteria may be present.
On an island like Sint Maarten, where everything we eat must be shipped in, food is especially precious. Reducing food waste not only saves households money, it also reduces pressure on the environment, lowers carbon emissions, and makes more food available for families who need it.
“Every time we throw away food, we are throwing away the resources that went into growing, transporting, and preparing it,” says DJ Jansen, Managing Director of the Freegan Food Foundation. “By learning to trust our senses — to look, smell, and taste — we can prevent good food from ending up in the garbage.”
The Freegan Food Foundation encourages the public to:
• Learn the difference between Best Before and Use By dates.
• Store food correctly to make it last longer.
• Get creative with leftovers.
• Share surplus food with neighbors or donate it where possible.
Together, we can make small daily changes that have a big impact. During this Week Against Food Waste, let’s all commit to wasting less and valuing more.
For more information about food waste and the work of the Freegan Food Foundation, please visit our socials, Facebook and instagram or www.freeganfoodfoundation.com.