Bread

A key staple food in the UK, bread can be found freshly baked in local bakeries and in a range of other options in supermarkets too. Lots of varieties to choose from such as white, multigrain and wholemeal. Wholemeal contains more fibre which helps keep our digestive system healthy.

How to store

How to store fresh bread

Keep bread and rolls in a fairly cool, dark and dry place, like bread bin or cupboard, in their original packaging. (Clean your bread bin or cupboard regularly to get rid of mould spores.)

Freezing bread

You can freeze bread in a sealed bag or container for up to 3 months.

Bread Top tips

How to freeze and defrost

To freeze: You can freeze all varieties of bread. Pop your bread in the freezer either in its packaging or put it in a sealed bag or container. For greater flexibility when using your bread, freeze it sliced so that you only need to take out what you need, keeping the rest frozen for another time. To make it easier to separate bread slices after freezing, bang your loaf gently on a work surface before you put it in the freezer.

To defrost: You can defrost a loaf of bread overnight on your kitchen worktop. The best way to avoid binning bread is to toast your slices of bread straight from frozen or use a microwave on the defrost setting. You can also make sandwiches for lunch in the morning using frozen slices of bread. It’ll defrost by lunchtime keeping it super fresh.

Eating the whole food

The end slices of a loaf of bread make perfect mini pizza bases. Make a super quick and cheap snack by putting some cheese and toppings onto these thicker end slices. Atten-shun! Use the ends to make stronger soldiers to go with a boiled egg.

Be fabulous with leftovers

Leftover bread is great for making breadcrumbs: fry in olive oil or butter to use as a crunchy topping on pasta bakes and fruit crumbles or use to make stuffing and for thickening sauces. Freeze in an airtight container to use as and when you need, straight from frozen, to top hearty dishes like macaroni cheese. Use chunks of stale bread in salads, such as panzanella, and slices from a stale loaf to make bread and butter pudding. Did you know you can make sandwiches from frozen bread? They will defrost by lunchtime, keeping the filling cool.

Buying tips

Buy the right pack size for your needs. Think about whether you’ll get through the whole pack before it goes stale or mouldy. If you’re not going to eat it all in time, freeze some for later. Think about visiting your local bakery to reduce your footprint (impact on our planet).

Valuing your Bread beyond the price tag

Goodness in food

Your food is more than its shape, colour and price. Your food has an important role to play to help keep you healthy and with enough energy to live your life how you wish to.

Contains a wide range of vitamins and minerals.
A source of B group vitamins thiamine (B1), niacin (B3) which are important for releasing energy from food and maintaining healthy skin, eyes and nails.
Bread is usually fortified with calcium which we need to maintain healthy bones and teeth.

Food story

By the time your food arrives in your home, it’s already been on quite a journey starting with how it is made or grown and how your food reaches the supermarket.

So please help our food to finish its story in the most sustainable way, ensuring the planet’s resources that’s already used are put to good use. Take care of your food when it’s in your home and ensure every edible morsel is eaten - and that your food doesn’t end up in the bin!