At FoodCloud, reducing food waste is at the heart of everything we do, and our team takes that commitment home, especially during the festive season. With so many meals shared and memories made, it’s a time to celebrate the season, but it can also lead to unintended food waste.

To help make your celebrations a little more sustainable, we’ve asked our team to share their own tried-and-tested tips for reducing food waste during the festive season. Here’s what they had to say:

Angela Ruttledge, Head of Public Engagement
“In our house, we make a ‘festive food plan.’ Before shopping for food, we write down what we’ll need for each meal and avoid impulse buys. It’s not only a food-saver but a money-saver too. And after Christmas dinner, I love turning leftover roasted potatoes into crispy hash browns for breakfast the next day—waste not, want not!”

Eimear Delahunty, Community Development Manager
“I always encourage family and friends to bring reusable containers when they come over. They can take a portion home to enjoy later if there's extra food. It’s like sending them off with a bonus Christmas gift!”

Lisa Keegan, Volunteer Manager
“After the big Christmas feast, we make a ‘fridge charcuterie board’ the next day. It’s a mix of cheeses, meats, and roasted veg, all beautifully laid out. It’s an easy way to use up leftovers and feels just as festive!”

Brian Keogh, Head of International Partnerships
“I’ve discovered that citrus peels from all those festive oranges and lemons can be dried and used to make mulled wine or added to tea. It’s a small way to repurpose scraps and add a bit of festive flair.”

Aditya Arora, Data and Reporting Team Lead
“One trick we use at home is freezing leftovers in single portions straight away—no waiting for things to go off. We label everything with a date, and what’s inside, so there’s no confusion later. It’s like having a little treasure trove of ready-made meals for January!”

‍We hope these tips inspire you to rethink how you approach food during the festive season. With some planning and creativity, it’s possible to celebrate while keeping waste to a minimum. After all, every small effort counts towards building a more sustainable future.

Wishing you a joyous and waste-free festive season from everyone at FoodCloud!