Every year since 2019, on 29 September, the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste is observed, an opportunity to remember how our everyday habits can also contribute to a more conscious use of food. In 2026, the day is specifically dedicated to the transformative potential of reducing food waste.
Even in our own kitchens, major changes are not necessary: a little organisation, attention to quantities and creativity can help us make better use of what we already have available.
Start with more conscious shopping
The first step towards avoiding food waste begins even before turning on the stove.
Checking the fridge and pantry before going shopping allows us to see what we already have at home and which ingredients should be used first. Planning a few meals in advance can also help us buy quantities that are better suited to our needs.
Another good habit is to place the foods that need to be consumed first at the front, keeping newly purchased products further back.
Prepare the right quantities
Pasta, rice and other dry foods are easy to store, but once cooked, we often tend to prepare more than we actually need.
Weighing portions before cooking is a simple step that can help prevent unnecessary leftovers. And when something is left over, it does not necessarily mean that it has to be thrown away.
A portion of rice can be transformed into croquettes or rice balls, while leftover pasta can become the base for a frittata or a baked dish.
Give ingredients a second life
Often, what we consider a leftover can become the starting point for a new recipe.
Day-old bread can be transformed into croutons, bruschetta or breadcrumbs. Cooked vegetables can enrich a pasta dish, a frittata or a savoury pie. Even a small amount of cheese can be used to finish a risotto or add a gratin topping.
The same applies to sauce: any sauce left over after a pasta dish can become a topping for bruschetta, accompany vegetables or be used as the base for a new dish.
Storing food properly means wasting less
Proper storage is just as important.
Using well-sealed containers, following the instructions on packaging and keeping the fridge and pantry organised makes it easier to keep track of the food we have available and use it at the right time.
Before throwing something away, it is therefore worth asking ourselves: can I store it or use it in another way?
Our approach to more conscious cooking
In the recipes from De Luca Family Food, we also aim to make the most of ingredients and suggest different ways to use them, because cooking with care also means learning how to get the most out of what we have.
This same care is reflected in the products we make. Our Spicial Sauces are artisanal and 100% natural sauces, handcrafted with selected ingredients and recipes designed to bring together Italian tradition and the world of spices.
For us, producing with care means starting with the quality of the ingredients and maintaining an artisanal approach in every recipe.
A commitment that goes beyond the kitchen
Sustainability is part of a broader commitment at De Luca Family Food. When creating our products, we aim to minimise our environmental impact by choosing high-quality raw materials, certified materials and suppliers who share our values of sustainability and respect for the environment. Our glass, paper and plastic packaging materials are also sent for recovery and recycling.
Cooking without waste therefore means valuing what we choose, what we prepare and what we already have available.
Small actions that, day after day, can transform the way we experience cooking, making it more thoughtful, creative and responsible.
