Shorter Version
Est. Reading Time: 2 Minutes
Did you know that Americans waste about 31 percent of edible food? This is enough food waste to fill the Rose Bowl stadium of 90,000 seats every day. Most of this food ends up in landfills which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and affects climate change. The issue is beyond just America. It occurs worldwide with over two billion tons of food wasted globally per year. That’s enough to feed almost two billion people! In the words of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
It’s time to “feed people, not landfills!”
The extra perks!
Not only will reducing food waste help limit certain environmental changes, but it saves you money and helps your local community. Purchasing the exact amount of food that you will eat helps you save because you are most likely purchasing less food than normal (that means no impulse purchases and less eating out!). Learning where you can donate safe, edible foods that would otherwise be wasted helps feed food-insecure areas of your community. These areas consist of households that are unable to feed each person enough food to be healthy (learn more about food insecurity here). The Feeding America program fights food insecurity by donating 4.3 billion meals around the U.S. per year. Many other food donation organizations also help get these donated items to food deserts around the world.
We can all help that cause!
Try some of these
Additional methods to reduce food waste involve a variety of lifestyle habits such as grocery shopping, food prep and production, food storage, and dining out. But these changes to reduce food waste require both individuals and corporations to take action. Let’s take a quick look at some the changes you can make at home to have an impact on food waste:
- Plan your meals and make a shopping list. Account for any social activities where you will be dining out. This will require you to purchase less food for home. Then, stick to your list at the store.
- Shop your refrigerator and freezer first. Take inventory of what you already have on hand so you don’t overbuy.
- Don’t be afraid to buy the “imperfect” produce. It might not be pretty, but it’s still edible and nutritious!
- Understand food labels and product dates. Learn more about that here.
- Store foods correctly and at the proper temperature.
- Use the First In, First Out (FIFO) method. Bring older items that need to be eaten first to the front of the shelf and place newly purchased items behind them.
- Donate any excess foods (it happens every now and then) to a food pantry.
- Love your leftovers! Make meals using your leftovers (casseroles, quiche, soups, or stir-fries) or freeze them before they spoil.
Longer Version
Est. Reading Time: 3 Minutes
Tips to Cut Food Waste
Smarter Grocery Planning
One of the most powerful ways to reduce food waste starts before you even leave home: with your grocery list. Instead of making a list from scratch, take stock of what you already have in your refrigerator and pantry first. Identify items that need to be used soon and think about how they can fit into a meal. For example, if you have wilting vegetables, consider a stir-fry, or if you have stale hamburger buns, try making croutons for a salad or stuffing. After you’ve done that, just add any missing components to your grocery list. Keeping a separate list of staple items you routinely use, like eggs, milk, and bread, helps whittle down your weekly list faster and prevents buying duplicates you don’t need.
Choose Seasonal Produce That Lasts
When planning meals for the week, consider what fruits and vegetables are in season for your region. Seasonal produce not only tends to be fresher and higher quality, but it also helps you save money and is better for the environment. When foods are grown out of season, their environment must be altered to support their growth, which usually requires excess energy and water. But buying in season eliminates all that and ensures you’re getting the absolute best from your produce!
The Benefits of Meal Prepping
Meal prepping is another strategy that can dramatically cut food waste in your household. When you plan and cook meals in advance, you portion out ingredients thoughtfully so you use exactly what you need, reducing the chance that food will sit forgotten and spoil. Storing pre-prepared meals in airtight containers or freezing portions you won’t eat within a few days extends their shelf life and saves time during busy weeks.
Storing Food Properly
Understanding how to store food correctly can make a huge difference in keeping it edible longer. Refrigerators should be kept at 40oF (4oC) or below, and freezers at 0oF (-18oC) or below, to slow bacterial growth and preserve quality. Proper packaging, such as airtight freezer bags or freezer-safe containers, prevents freezer burn and helps foods maintain flavor and texture. Contrary to common myth, freezing does not reduce a food’s nutritional value! It simply halts bacterial growth or enzyme activity, keeping food safe for months. Some foods do require a little extra prep to keep optimally, so make sure you’re checking the best ways to freeze when you’re unsure.
Composting: Feed the Soil Instead of Landfills
Even with careful shopping and meal prepping, some food scraps are unavoidable. Composting turns organic waste into nutrient-rich soil amendment rather than letting it decompose in a landfill. When food waste is sent to a landfill, it decomposes anaerobically, producing greenhouse gases such as methane. When food is composted, it relies on microorganisms to break down aerobically, significantly limiting these emissions. This also improves soil health, conserves water, and eliminates the need for synthetic fertilizers.
Composting doesn’t have to be complicated: you can keep it simple and use a backyard pile, or if you want, you can get a compost bin, or even get crazy and try an indoor worm (vermicomposting) system. There are lots of ways to start composting!
Help Your Community
Not only will reducing food waste help limit certain environmental changes, but it will also save you money and help your local community. Purchasing the exact amount of food you will eat helps you save because you are most likely buying less than you normally would (which means no impulse purchases and less eating out!). Learning where you can donate safe, edible foods that would otherwise be wasted helps feed food-insecure areas of your community. These areas consist of households that are unable to feed each person enough food to be healthy (learn more about food insecurity here). The Feeding America program fights food insecurity by donating 4.3 billion meals around the U.S. per year. Many other food donation organizations also help get these donated items to food deserts around the world.
We can all help that cause!
Actionable Steps
- Read More: Read more about health, wellness, and the science behind it on our articles page!
- Discover low-cost, high-quality healthy meals on our recipes page!
- Use your local food donation centers: Be a friend of your local food donation centers, like a food bank. Take the next step and volunteer with these organizations to learn more and give back!
- Take your health seriously: Visit our services page and schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, nurses, or coaches.
Sources
- https://www.usda.gov/about-food/food-safety/food-loss-and-waste/food-waste-faqs
- https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/world-squanders-over-1-billion-meals-day-un-report
- https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/resources/nutrition-education-materials/seasonal-produce-guide
- https://www.adventisthealth.org/blog/benefits-of-incorporating-seasonal-produce-into-
- https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/are-you-storing-food-safely
- https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/freezing-and-food-safety
- https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/freezing-and-food-safety
- https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home#options
This article was originally written by Shannon Costello for Guide, Inc., and was updated for use by Meakin Metabolic Care by Aubrey Christofferson.
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