Food preserving from the kitchen garden and my ZERO WASTE freezer method | Sustainable Living Hack

I've given a lot of thought to how to preserve the fruit and vegetables I grow in my kitchen garden, soft fruit patch, micro food forest and orchard, herb garden and container garden. Top of mind is what will be most sustainable, low waste and low impact for the environment, as well as what works with my budget, time and storage available, effort required and the limitations of my small garden.
I looked at dehydrating my produce: I decided that it would work best for fruit and herbs but not so good for vegetables. I looked at bottling (canning): This takes quite a lot of time and equipment and requires enough produce to be ready at the same time to make it worth while and as my pocket farm is quite small my harvests tend to be small and frequent. I decided freezing was the best option for me but then had to come up with some clever ways to avoid the plastic waste that generally comes with using a freezer to preserve your food. I've worked out a zero waste method for my freezer that uses second hand plastic. I also create 'pucks' of processed food using silicone trays that I got from a charity shop, and these fit neatly into the plastic boxes once frozen.
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DEFINITION OF A POCKET FARM
[noun] A pocket farm is a small area of land that has been repurposed to grow food and/or keep small animals as its primary purpose. It is an oasis of sustainable agriculture and wildlife habitat in or around a densely populated area. May include: balconies, patios, driveways ... or anything you can think of really!
VISIT CORNWALL POCKET FARM
Secret Gardens secretgardens....

[@bluebirdhomestead]

11:11 Your freezer organization is spot on. I like you how you were able to find Tupperware that fits perfectly in each drawer! 😀-Cara

[@cornwallpocketfarm]

I actually found it really frustrating to start with as the drawers were just a little bit too shallow to take 2 boxes stacked on top of each other but as soon as I tried the boxes on their sides, it worked brilliantly and I got twice as many in. Weirdly, it took me ages to think of that!

[@bluebirdhomestead]

@@cornwallpocketfarm That is great that you were able to get everything so organized, even if it was a little frustrating to figure out 😃😃-Cara

[@AlisonGreenValleyCrone]

Like you, we have a secondary freezer that goes on late summer. I’ve been slowly accumulating Pyrex with lids - looking out in sales and charity shops. They’re brilliant for batch cooking as well as gluts from garden and foraging. Brilliant idea to keep empty boxes in freezer 😮

[@cornwallpocketfarm]

Thank you 😊 It's all trial and error but as you say, wonderful to have if you grow your own food!

[@mrsmscuriositycabinet6925]

I've just discovered your channel. The puck solution is fantastic! I'll definitely be adopting that. Storing the empty Tupperware boxes in the freezes is one of those solutions that is blinding obvious once we realise and kick ourselves for not having realised sooner... ;) As an added suggestion, if you fill the empties with water and freeze that, it will cut your energy usage (and cost). A freezer has to work harder to chill empty space. Maybe keep a box or two empty so you can fill them as you harvest and when starting a new box, defrost and empty one of the 'water boxes', saving the water for the watering can, hot water bottles, steaming veggies...

[@cornwallpocketfarm]

That's an excellent idea! Thanks for that 😊 And welcome!

[@margaretsmilligan9393]

Great idea!

[@cornwallpocketfarm]

Thank you 😊

[@GoingGreenMom]

Um, I thought the whole thing with weck jars was that the seals were reusable? Eventually needing replaced, but when I was researching the seals could be reused unless they were cracking or dry rotted.

[@cornwallpocketfarm]

I think they recommend a new seal each time but I am definitely reusing them as much as possible!