Are you buying too much? Simple tips to prevent Overshopping

Overshopping is an easy trap to fall into.

Driven by convenience and consumerism, it’s a habit that has become a widespread problem, contributing significantly to food waste. As more Kiwis fill their trolleys with excess food, refrigerators and pantries brim with items that are not consumed and eventually end up in the bin. The result is not just bad for your budget, but also bad for the environment.

The Scale of Food Waste in New Zealand

Food waste is a growing concern in Aotearoa, with an estimated $3.1 billion worth of food wasted annually. That’s around 157,000 tonnes of food, which is equivalent to roughly 271 kg per household each year. According to a 2022 report by Love Food Hate Waste, around one-third of all food purchased is thrown away.

While food waste occurs throughout the food supply chain—from production to consumption—the bulk of food waste in New Zealand happens at the household level. Much of this waste can be directly linked to the habit of buying more than we need.

What Drives Overshopping?

Supermarket Sales and Promotions

Supermarkets are designed to encourage consumers to buy more than they plan. Sales like “buy one, get one free” or discounts on bulk purchases make it tempting to buy extra food, even when it isn't necessary. Kiwis are often swayed by these offers, thinking they are saving money, but in reality, the excess food they purchase often gets wasted.

Convenience and Busy Lifestyles

Many New Zealanders lead busy lives, juggling work, family, and social commitments. With less time for regular grocery shopping, the tendency is to buy more food in one go to reduce the frequency of trips to the supermarket. However, this bulk buying can result in food going off before it can be eaten, especially perishables like fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.

Fear of Running Out

The fear of running out of food, especially during times of uncertainty, such as natural disasters or during the COVID-19 pandemic, drives many people to overshop. Stockpiling became a widespread behaviour in New Zealand during lockdowns, leading to excessive amounts of food in many households that ultimately went to waste.

Overestimating Needs

Another factor contributing to overshopping is simply overestimating how much food a household needs. Many New Zealanders buy more food than they require for weekly meals, thinking they will cook elaborate dishes or entertain guests more often than they actually do. The result is that much of the food ends up spoiling before it can be used.

Psychological and Emotional Triggers

Shopping is often an emotional experience. Many people shop for food when they’re hungry, stressed, or tired, which can lead to impulse buying. Retailers also capitalise on this by creating environments that encourage impulse purchases, from the strategic placement of items to the use of bright colours and upbeat music. This emotional overshopping contributes to the problem of food waste when the purchased items aren’t consumed.

The Impact of Food Waste

The environmental consequences of food waste are vast, and New Zealand is not immune. When food is wasted, it’s not just the food itself that is thrown away, but also the resources that went into producing, processing, packaging, and transporting it.

Aside from the environmental impact, food waste has significant social and economic implications. New Zealand is a nation with growing social inequality, and while many Kiwis throw away perfectly good food, others struggle to afford basic groceries.

Wasting food means wasting money. A family of four in New Zealand could save up to $600 a year by being more mindful of their food consumption and reducing waste. Overshopping often leads to financial loss, as the food purchased but not consumed translates into money thrown away.

Food insecurity is a pressing issue in New Zealand. According to a 2020 University of Otago study, around 20% of New Zealanders experience some form of food insecurity. It’s disheartening to think that while one in five people are struggling to put food on the table, a third of food purchased ends up in the bin. Reducing food waste could play a role in easing food insecurity by encouraging more responsible consumption and redistributing surplus food to those in need.

How to Curb Overshopping and Food Waste

While the problem of overshopping and food waste in New Zealand is significant, there are practical steps that can be taken to address it. Here are some strategies that individuals and households can adopt to minimise waste and make more conscious purchasing decisions.

Plan Meals and Create Shopping Lists

Meal planning is one of the most effective ways to prevent overshopping. By planning meals for the week and sticking to a shopping list, households can buy only what they need, reducing the likelihood of food going to waste. This also encourages mindful eating and ensures that ingredients are used before they spoil.

Buy Less, More Often

Instead of bulk buying once a week or fortnight, consider shopping more frequently and in smaller amounts. This reduces the risk of purchasing food that spoils before it’s used. Shopping more often also allows for more flexibility, as you can adjust your purchases based on what you need throughout the week.

Learn to Store Food Properly

Proper food storage can significantly extend the life of perishable items. Simple actions like keeping fruit and vegetables in the right part of the fridge, freezing bread and meat, and understanding the difference between “use by” and “best before” dates can help reduce food spoilage. In New Zealand’s fluctuating climate, it’s especially important to ensure that food is stored correctly to avoid premature spoiling.

Be Conscious of Sales and Promotions

While it’s tempting to take advantage of supermarket promotions, be realistic about whether you’ll use the food before it goes off. If you’re not going to consume those two-for-one items, it’s better to leave them on the shelf. Prioritise quality over quantity and avoid falling into the trap of buying more than you need simply because it’s on sale.

Donate Surplus Food

If you do find yourself with more food than you can use, consider donating it to a local food bank or food rescue organisation, like Kairos. We work to redistribute surplus food to those in need. This not only helps reduce food waste but also supports vulnerable communities.

Compost Food Scraps

For the unavoidable food waste, composting is a great way to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. Composting at home can turn food scraps into nutrient-rich soil, which is beneficial for gardens and the environment. Many local councils in New Zealand also offer green waste collection services, making it easier for households to compost.

Overshopping is a key contributor to the growing problem of food waste in New Zealand. As consumers, we must recognise the impact our shopping habits have on both our wallets and the environment. By making more mindful purchasing decisions, reducing impulse buying, and learning how to store and use food effectively, we can significantly reduce the amount of food that ends up in the bin.

Tackling food waste requires a collective effort—from households to retailers, to policymakers. But by starting with simple changes in our daily routines, we can all play a part in creating a more sustainable, equitable food system in New Zealand.