Too Good To Go reveals top tips on making bread last longer

As Ireland reflects on the aftermath of recent extreme weather, including snowfall and Storm Éowyn, it’s clear that the habit of stocking up on essentials remains a strong tradition in households across the nation.

Bread, a long-standing favourite in Irish households, was in very high demand over the weekend, as many of us noticed the bare supermarket shelves when on the hunt for a while sliced pan. Yet, despite its popularity, it is also among the most commonly wasted foods, with many loaves and slices ultimately going unused and thrown away.

Machaela O’Leary, Sales Manager for Too Good To Go Ireland, has revealed why the sliced pan holds such significance during a storm as she explains “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. Ireland’s most wasted food, with 41% of people reporting they throw away bread, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).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.”

The Bread & Bakery Goods Production industry in Ireland is estimated to have a market size of €1.1 billion in 2024 (source HERE), underscoring the cultural and economic significance of bread.

To address the issue of food waste, Too Good To Go, the social impact company combating food waste, has shared practical and sustainable tips to help households across the country make the most of their bread and reduce waste.

Top tips to make the most of storing your bread:

1. Cloth bags are the best option for storing bread, meaning it will maintain its properties better. A fun tip is to pop a potato in the bag as well. This prevents it from drying out as quickly. 

2. Wherever you store your bread, make sure it’s dark, dry and fairly cool. Don’t forget to clean out any bread bins or cupboards regularly for mould, as well. 

3. Bought too many baps? You can freeze bread for up to 3 months – just make sure it’s in a clean, sealed bag. 

4. Toasting from frozen is actually the best way to avoid unnecessary waste, by using what you need as and when. 

Handy tips to use up leftover bread:

• Turn stale bread into cookies! Yes, you heard us right. If you whizz 3-4 slices of stale bread in a food processor and add in egg, butter, flour, sugar, hazelnuts, chocolate, baking powder and salt, you can make around 10 delicious zero waste cookies! Find the full recipe here. 
• Kickstart your weekend brunch with some homemade French toast! All you need is some cupboard staples such as eggs, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon and a bit of butter and salt and hey presto! A planet (and budget) friendly brunch. 
• Make your mouth feel like it’s the middle of summer by whipping up a classic Tuscan Panzanella salad. Perfect for leftover sourdough or ciabatta, blend some basil in a food processor with capers and olive oil. Transfer half of the herby oil to a bowl, add the bread and mix well, then set aside so that the bread chunks can absorb the moisture. Place the tomatoes in a large bowl and lightly squash them to gently release some juice. Mix with the olives, onion slices and a drizzle of olive oil. Add the bread, the herby oil and the vinegar, and mix well. Garnish with the remaining basil leaves, drizzle with more olive oil and serve straight away. Find the full recipe here.