8 Ways to Reduce Food Waste

Did you know that there’s something YOU can do to reduce food waste? Below we’ll look at 8 ways to reduce food waste starting today! But before that let’s look at some stats.

In 2010, it is estimated that approximately 133 billion pounds of food at a worth of $161 billion was wasted in the United States. This is for both consumers and businesses. This means that people who are hungry and in need of food didn’t receive something that could have helped them. It also means that labor, land and resources are being used to get rid of the food waste. 

Below are 8 ways to reduce food waste!

1. Understanding Dates on Food

Have you ever wondered “What are all of those dates on foods?” It can definitely be confusing if you aren’t properly educated by someone on what they mean. Let’s look at a few popular phrases you would see on a food label. 

“Best if used by/before”: The date that this food will have the best flavor/quality. It is not an expiration date. 

“Sell-by”:  This date tells the store how long to keep it in the store. It is related to the quality of the product. 

“Use-by”:  The last date recommended for the highest quality. When seen on infant formula it is an expiration date. Federal regulations require this label on infant formula to make sure it still has the quantity of nutrients described on the label. That’s super helpful to know for all the parents out there! This law helps to ensure that baby is getting the amount of nutrients they need from that formula. 

“Freeze-by”:  The date a food should be frozen to maintain quality. This is not a purchase by or safety date. 

So now you might be wondering, if the food is still safe to eat after these dates. The answer is “yes” if stored and handled properly, but you will still want to check for a few things before eating. Avoid eating anything with a strange odor, off flavor or texture. 

2. Practice Freezing Food

Freezing food is a great way to reduce waste. You can easily freeze foods like bread, slice/cut fruit, meat (cooked or uncooked) and especially leftovers. When freezing food you’ll want to use freezer safe bags/containers. Always label with the name of the food and the date. 

Even now and then it’s best to scavenge through your freezer to see what’s in there and use it. For best quality, enjoy foods you’ve frozen within 3 months. Some foods last longer than that. For more information, check out the USDA tips on freezing food. 

3. Better Storage Techniques

We can maximize food freshness by the way we store them. Did you know that it is best to wait to wash fruits like berries, cherries and grapes until right before you are ready to eat them? It helps to prevent mold from getting on them. Apples, pears and avocados should not be stored next to each other. They release a gas that will make the other food spoil faster. Simply separate them during storage. Potatoes, onion and garlic should be stored in a cool, dark, dry place with good ventilation. 

4. Donate to Hunger Relief Organizations  

See if there are local organizations where you live that will accept donated or inedible food. Inedible food can be recycled into other products such as animal feed, compost and clothing. 

5. Try Composting

Speaking of composting, setting this up at home is a great way to use those inedible scraps. Those unused peels, stems and banana peels can go right in there. If you don’t have the interest in composting or you just don’t have the space, then consider joining a community garden. They might let you bring in those scraps for the garden!

For more on doing composting at home, visit the NRDC. 

6. Shop Better

Start by making your shopping list based on how many meals you’ll eat at home. If you know that the upcoming week you’ll be going out to eat for dinner or that you have a few work lunches set up where meals will be provided then you don’t need to plan to buy food for those meals. Keep in mind that buying in large quantities can be great for some families, but if you know it won’t all get used before it expires then don’t “buy” into it. 

7. Reconsider Using It Before You Toss It

That stale bread isn’t as useless as you think! Look up recipes for ways to use stale bread like making croutons, bread pudding or even a French toast casserole. Got some ripe bananas? Consider making banana nut bread before tossing it in the trash. Or even freezing it for later use in a smoothie.  

8. Plan Ahead

Last, but not least, planning ahead for meals and/or snacks is also a strategy to help reduce food waste. It can be helpful to look at what you already have on hand in the pantry, fridge and freezer before grocery shopping. This will let you know meals you can do with what’s at home and prevent overspending in the grocery store, thus preventing additional food waste. You may want to include quantities on your grocery list to help you know how much is needed. For example, do you really need a 6-pack of tomatoes or would it be better to just buy 2 for what you need?

I know, you may not enjoy meal planning, but it definitely can make a difference with the amount of food we either save or waste.