Too Good To Go is offering tips on making the most of sliced pan, as many houses find themselves with the storm staple, following Storm Éowyn on Friday.
As Ireland reflects on the impact of recent weather events – including the storm and snowfall – it’s clear that certain habits, such as stocking up on essentials, remain deeply ingrained in our culture.
Bread – a beloved Irish staple – topped shopping lists over the weekend, as evidenced by well-documented empty shelves in supermarkets.
However, it is also one of the most wasted foods, with some 41% of people reporting that they throw away bread, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The bread and bakery goods production industry in Ireland was worth an estimated €1.1 billion in 2024 – according to data from IBISWorld – underscoring the cultural and economic significance of bread.
To prevent loaves and slices ending up in the bin, Too Good To Go has issued advice on how to preserve and use leftover sliced pan.
‘Simple, Sustainable’
Commenting on the tips, Machaela O Leary, sales manager for Too Good To Go Ireland, said, “This year, as Ireland experienced some of the most extreme weather events in recent memory, the humble sliced pan once again became a must-have item for households bracing for storms!
“Bread is a staple in almost every Irish household, but it’s also one of the most commonly wasted foods.
“The good news is there are simple, sustainable ways to store and use bread to reduce waste while still enjoying its comforting presence in our homes.”
Storage
Cloth bags are best for storing bread, allowing it to maintain its properties better. Adding a potato to the bag can also prevent the bread from drying out too quickly.
Bread should be stored in a dark, dry, and fairly cool spot, and bread bins should be checked for mould and cleaned out regularly.
Using a clean, sealed bag, you can store bread in the freezer for up to three months.
In fact, toasting frozen bread is the best way to avoid unnecessary waste – use only what you need when you need it.
Using Leftovers
However, it’s not always possible to plan ahead when it comes to bread storage.
If bread has gone stale, Too Good To Go suggests whizzing three to four slices in a food processor, adding egg, butter, flour, sugar, hazelnuts, chocolate, baking powder and salt, to turn them into zero-waste cookies, with the recipe available here.
Another option is to use up bread at the weekend by making French toast for the whole family, using other staples, such as eggs, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, butter and salt.
The more confident chef can also use the leftover bread to make a classic Tuscan panzanella salad, using slices as delicious dressing sponges, as seen in this recipe.
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