Stop Food Waste Day 2026: All About Bread!

For Stop Food Waste Day 2026 we’re focusing on Bread: How to make the most of it and reduce bread waste!

Did you know that bread is one of the food items wasted most by Irish households? In fact, EPA research shows that 48% of people said bread was the food they threw out most often. This is a sad end for one of the most versatile, delicious and loved foods in our homes.

However the good news is that when it comes to sliced pan, we are already taking steps to make the most of it. Recent EPA research has found that 87% of people who buy sliced pan say they freeze it to eat later and not to waste it.

And unlike lots of other foods, it doesn’t get forgotten in the freezer either, with 91% of people saying the frozen bread gets eaten ‘all the time or often’, and 74% say they rarely or never waste the bread they have frozen.

Did you know you can freeze all types of bread to use another time?

While we are great at freezing sliced pan so we don’t waste it, we’re not as good at freezing other bread products with 55% of people saying they freeze rolls or baguettes and only 35% do this with wraps.

So this Stop Food Waste Day, we have some simple steps everyone can take to stop wasting bread and discover new ways to freeze it, making savings on your food bill too.

Top Tips on freezing bread to avoid waste

• Freezing bread keeps it for longer and is a ready store when you need it.
• Bread will last in the freezer for up to 3 months – just wrap it well or place it in a freezer bag.
• When you buy fresh bread freeze some in slices so you can use them as needed – frozen bread slices can be put straight into the toaster! Did you know that freezing half a loaf per week could save you €75 per year?
• You can freeze ALL types of bread including wraps, bagels, hot dog buns, burger buns, bread rolls and ciabatta!
  • Top tip:  After you open a packet of wraps, roll leftover wraps two at a time in foil (like a burrito) and pop in the freezer. To eat, pop the foil covered wraps in the oven or airfryer to heat them up.
  • Top tip: Loosen bagels and rolls in the packet before freezing so they don’t stick together.

Freezing bread is a key way to reduce bread waste but we have even more tips to help you buy better, store it right and use it up!

When you buy…

• Know what bread you have before going shopping – Don’t forget to check your freezer and breadbin to see what bread you have already to use and don’t need to buy.
• Know how much bread you need – Find you’re not using up that large sliced pan? Try buying a smaller loaf next time to suit the amount you need and will eat.
• Have a plan for the bread you buy – Should you freeze some for another time? Why not do it when you’re unpacking the grocery bags? It could save you another trip to the shops!
• Check the best before date on bread – to make sure you’re buying the freshest available.

Where you store…

• Store bread in a breadbin or paper bag at room temperature. This allows for air circulation but prevents it from drying out too fast. Avoid storing bread in plastic or in the fridge as it can make bread go mouldy or stale quicker!
• Check bread regularly so you don’t forget what you have and eat it

When you eat…

• Bread is a key recipe ingredient – you can make a host of tasty dishes that need stale bread from leftover bread chocolate cake to full Irish breakfast frittata?
• Bread is so versatile – check out our 1 Ingredient, 3 Ways recommendations, Jamie Oliver’s tasty recipes or BBC Good Food!
• Ended up with stale bread despite your best efforts? Don’t throw it out and try these tips instead:
  • Stale baguettes can be brought back to life by slightly wetting their surface and warming in the oven.
  • Old, dried bread can be turned into breadcrumbs and used to coat baked chicken or fish, to make stuffing, toasted as a topping for pasta or to bind burgers and fishcakes. Bonus: breadcrumbs are also freezable!
  • Dried crusts can be toasted and used as croutons in soups, stews and salads.

 

Will you take action to freeze all types of bread to use another time and reduce bread waste?

We’d love to hear about the steps you’re taking to reduce bread waste. Maybe you have your own top tips to share with us using #SFWDay2026 on social media?

#StopFoodWaste #makethemostofbread #halfaloafisbetterthannone #brilliantbread #stopbreadwaste

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