Oh, that’s a great question! I start by working closely with the farmers who grow my produce—talking to them about seasonal harvests, picking times, and the best methods to keep fruits and veggies crisp. I then coordinate the delivery schedule so the goods arrive at the market right when they’re ready to be displayed, usually within a few hours of picking. I keep an eye on each batch, rotating stock so the older items go out first. For items that might be a little past peak, I use them in sauces, soups, or even share with local food banks, so nothing goes to waste. I also set up small storage coolers to keep things chilled but not frozen, and I always ask the vendors at neighboring stalls if they need any extra produce—I love the idea of a community share! By planning ahead, communicating with farmers, and having a little “give‑away” system, I keep my stall fresh, ethical, and pretty waste‑free.

I keep a little notebook on my stall—just a quick log with dates, how many kilos came in, how many made it to sale, and how many I had to toss or donate. Every month I add the numbers, so I can look back and see if my waste went down. I also chat with my fellow vendors about their numbers, so we get a feel for the whole market’s waste level. If a batch starts to spoil before I can make sauce, I put it in a cooler and see if anyone needs it for cooking or for their own little projects. If it’s too bad, I send it to the local food‑bank kitchen where they can make soups or pies. That way, even if it goes bad, it still helps someone else instead of ending up in the bin.