10 Ways to Reduce Food Waste at Home

Every year, the average American household throws away food worth several hundred dollars. Not only does that waste money, it’s also a lost chance to protect the environment and ease food insecurity in our communities. With a few small adjustments at home, you can help combat the global issue of food waste.

1. Plan Ahead

Think through your meals for the week before shopping. This helps you buy exactly what you need and keeps you from picking up items that may end up unused.

2. Shop with a List

Write down your essentials and only buy what you need. Only add extras if you’re confident they’ll get eaten.

3. Organize Food

When organizing the fridge or pantry, move older items to the front so they get used first.

4. Don’t Be Scared by Labels

Dates like sell by or best by often indicate quality, not safety. Many foods are perfectly fine past those dates as long as they’re stored correctly.

5. Store Smarter

Different foods keep best under different conditions. For example, apples speed up ripening in leafy greens, so keep them separate. Bread lasts much longer in the freezer if you won’t finish it quickly.

6. Reuse Leftovers

Dont throw away leftovers. Find new uses for these leftovers: Shredding up your grilled chicken and making tacos out of it. 

7. Use the Freezer Wisely

Freeze extra portions of meals, produce, or bread so they last longer and dont spoil prior to usage.

8. Keep Portions Smaller

Don’t grab more food than you can handle. This way, less food ends up scraped into the trash.

9. Compost the Rest

Coffee grounds, fruit peels, and veggie scraps can be composted and turned into rich soil instead of being wasted.

10. Share the Extra

Share extra food and leftovers with friends, family, or neighbors. Unopened, nonperishable items can go to local food pantries.

Bottom line: Cutting food waste goes a long way in combatting the dilemmas the world faces through issues like food waste and food insecurity. Small, consistent habits really do add up to a big impact.