It’s a shame that so much food goes to waste in the U.S. With grocery prices on the rise and landfills overflowing, it’s more important than ever to make use of every ingredient we buy or grow.
But unfortunately, around 40% of food in the U.S. is wasted, from excess in industry and grocery stores to restaurants and our own homes.
Thankfully, there are many easy ways we can reduce the amount of food we waste at home. Whether it’s planning meals ahead of time, freezing leftovers, or using up ingredients before they go bad, every small step can make a big difference.
Not only does reducing food waste help the environment and save money, but it also feels good to know that we’re making the most of what we have.
So let’s all do our part to reduce food waste and make the most of the ingredients we have. It’s a simple but important way to make a positive impact on our world.
Five strategies:
PLAN
If you’re looking to minimize food waste, one of the best places to start is with meal planning. By creating a detailed plan for your meals, you can purchase only the foods you need and avoid impulse buys that might go to waste.
To make this process even more effective, try making a shopping list before you head to the store. This way, you can ensure that you only buy the ingredients you need and nothing more.
Another helpful tip is to start thinking about “Intentional Leftovers” when you’re cooking. This simply means planning to use any extra food you have in a specific recipe or dish, rather than letting it go to waste.
For example, if you have leftover cooked chicken breasts, you could use them in a Mexican Tortilla Soup recipe. Or, if you have extra meatballs, you could make a delicious sub sandwich.
By planning ahead and using your leftovers intentionally, you can prevent them from going bad and ultimately being thrown away.
SAVE
If you’re someone who loves to cook, then you know the importance of having a good stock on hand. It’s the base for so many dishes, from soups to stews to sauces.
But making stock can be time-consuming and sometimes expensive, especially if you’re using store-bought ingredients. That’s why I always save my vegetable scraps and peels to make my own stock.
The trick is to wash your vegetables before you start peeling or trimming them. That way, you can save all of those scraps and peels that would otherwise go to waste.
Just keep a freezer-proof zipper top bag on your counter and add the scraps to it as you go along. You can also add any herbs that have lost their perkiness, which will add even more flavor to your stock.
It’s important to note that you shouldn’t add any roots to your stock bag, as they can make your stock gritty. Stick to things like onion skins, carrot tops, and celery leaves.
Once your bag is full, you can transfer the contents to a pot and cover them with water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and let the stock simmer for a few hours.
Strain out the solids and you’ll be left with a flavorful vegetable stock that’s perfect for all of your cooking needs.
Not only is making your own vegetable stock a great way to reduce food waste, but it’s also an easy way to add more flavor to your dishes. So the next time you’re cooking, don’t throw away those vegetable scraps – save them for stock instead!
One great way to make homemade stock is to save your vegetable scraps in a freezer bag. Simply keep the bag in the freezer and add to it as you accumulate more scraps.
Once the bag is full, dump the contents into a pot and add enough water to cover. Season with salt and pepper, then simmer until the stock has taken on its fullest flavor. Finally, strain the stock and discard the solids.
This same method can also be used for poultry scraps or red meat scraps. Just make sure to keep them in separate, labeled freezer-proof bags and use them for stock when you have saved enough.
Not only is this a great way to reduce waste, but it also produces a flavorful and nutritious homemade stock that can be used in a variety of dishes.
So next time you’re cooking with vegetables, poultry, or red meat, don’t throw away those scraps – save them for stock instead!
IMPROVISE
If you’re looking for ways to save money and reduce food waste, there are several options available to you. One idea is to make use of odds and ends in your fridge by creating flexible dishes that can incorporate a variety of ingredients.
Frittatas, stir-fried rice, omelets, quesadillas, and soups are all great options that can make use of leftover vegetables, cheeses, and other items.
Another option is to look for a CSA (Consumer Supported Agriculture) in your area. These organizations are typically run by local farmers and offer seasonal, locally grown produce at lower costs.
While you do need to be prepared to use what you receive, this can be a great way to support local agriculture and save money on fresh produce.
Finally, there are now several companies that specialize in selling “ugly” produce – that is, fruits and vegetables that are too large, too small, or too irregularly shaped to be sold in traditional markets.
These items are often priced more affordably than their more visually appealing counterparts, making them a great option for budget-conscious shoppers.
Misfit Markets and Imperfect Foods are two examples of companies that offer this type of produce.
By making use of these strategies, you can save money on groceries while also reducing food waste and supporting local agriculture. So why not give them a try?
ORGANIZE
Keeping your fridge and pantry organized is key to reducing food waste. By being able to see what you have, you can avoid forgetting about items and having to throw them away.
This is especially important for super-perishable items like fish or berries, which should be kept in plain sight and used quickly.
It’s also important to understand expiration dates. A “sell by” date doesn’t necessarily mean you need to toss the item on that day.
It’s usually just an indicator that the clock is ticking, but many items like eggs or dairy can last for several days or even longer after the sell-by date.
Similarly, a “best by” date doesn’t mean the food is spoiled once that date passes. Many items can still be safely consumed for weeks after that date without any noticeable decrease in quality.
Storing your foods properly can also help slow down spoilage and reduce waste. There are plenty of reusable storage options available, including containers and wraps that are specifically designed for different types of food like greens, berries, herbs, or cheeses.
And don’t forget to label everything in your fridge that isn’t easily identifiable to help you keep track of what you have and when it needs to be used. By following these tips, you can help reduce food waste and save money in the process.
COMPOST
Composting is an excellent way to reduce food waste and help the environment. You can easily set up a composting container in your home, and there are many good options available that fit into your kitchen ecosystem.
If you live in a city and don’t have a way to use your compost, consider dropping it off at a local farmers market. The farmers who sell at the market often take the compost to use on their farms, completing an eco-cycle that benefits everyone.
Additionally, many towns and municipalities now offer drop-off spots or curbside pickup for compost. Some even have Smart Composting Bins located in various locations, where compost is collected regularly and used to beautify green spaces.
By composting, you can help reduce food waste and create a more sustainable future for all.