We waste one third of the food produced worldwide each year. In a world struggling to feed a population of 7 billion, that is a big problem. Luckily, we have a lot of power as consumers to curb our food waste. Here are some easy ways that you can waste less to save money and help the planet.
1. Eat those leftovers! Whether you eat them as-is or turn them into something new, don’t toss those leftovers in the trash bin.
2. Compost. All of those food scraps from prepping you meals are too valuable to throw away. Compost them instead, even if you don’t have space for a compost heap. Apartment-dwellers can still get in on the composting action.
3. Grow your own. Part of the waste in our food supply occurs because of spoilage during shipping. When you grow food yourself, you cut back on food miles and on waste. You don’t need a huge garden to grow some of your own food! If you have a small yard or live in an apartment, try growing food in containers.
4. Eat less meat. Meat production wastes food. How? Rather than eating beans and grains directly, we feed them to livestock. It’s a much less efficient way to produce food. Try eating more meatless meals to waste less.
Another aspect of food waste is the packaging that goes along with convenience foods and even with takeout. It’s important to be mindful not of just what you’re buying and how much but how much packaging is going straight into the bin after you eat packaged foods.
5. Bring your own doggie bag. Restaurants tend to serve notoriously large portions. Next time you’re eating out, pack some containers to bring that extra food home, and don’t forget to eat those leftovers once you get them there! You’ll be able to skip the disposable takeout container and stretch that restaurant food into another meal, reducing waste and saving you money.
6. Don’t just look at the “best by” date on packaged food. No one wants to eat food that’s spoiled, but those dates are an estimate.
7. Don’t shop without a list. Grocery shopping can be stressful if you’re wandering the aisles, trying to decide how to feed your family for the week. You also end up buying a lot of food that doesn’t get eaten. Instead, take some time to plan out what you’re going to be cooking and snacking on that week while you’re home. Inventory the pantry and fridge to see what food you need to cook in the next few days to keep it from spoiling, and go from there to plan your shopping list.
8. Don’t shop hungry. Isn’t grocery shopping the worst when you’re hungry? I tend to want to buy the whole store! Have a snack before you leave the house or grab a granola bar to eat on the way, so your list and your brain are in charge at the store, not your grumbly stomach.
The way that we shop for and store our food can make a big difference in terms of waste. Take a look at where your food is coming from and at your pantry to waste less food. You’ll save money in the end and make a positive impact!
9. Try preserving. Did the CSA send you WAY too many turnips? Did you accidentally buy more carrots than you needed for the week? Can, pickle, or freeze extra produce to buy yourself more time and avoid spoilage.
10. Join a CSA. What does a community supported agriculture (CSA) program have to do with food waste? Conventional food outlets reject “ugly” produce, which adds up to tons of waste. At a CSA, your farmer is most likely not going to toss a thing. You get to support a local food producer and opt out of grocery store waste at the same time. Win-win!
11. Get the most out of your produce. Did you know that you can make pesto out of the tops of carrots and that you can cook up the greens from beets, turnips, or Brussels sprouts? There are lots of ways to cook with fruit and vegetable scraps.
12. Get organized. When we grocery shop, we tend to just stick our purchases into the fridge and pantry. Instead, make sure that you put the food that’s closer to spoiling front and center, so you’ll remember to use it before it turns.
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