Image via WikipediaForty-one billion pounds is the amount of food Americans wasted in 2009 according to Feeding America. Green Living Tips indicates that 40 percent of food purchased in America is tossed out.
While food waste makes for great compost and its environmental impact can be a positive one by transforming it into nourishing compost for your garden, wasting food is costly to households and non-recyclable or compostable packaging can wreak havoc on the environment. So, especially during this season of over consumption, it’s important to consider taking steps to reduce or mitigate our food waste.
Ideas for reducing holiday food waste: Eat the leftovers!
While food waste makes for great compost and its environmental impact can be a positive one by transforming it into nourishing compost for your garden, wasting food is costly to households and non-recyclable or compostable packaging can wreak havoc on the environment. So, especially during this season of over consumption, it’s important to consider taking steps to reduce or mitigate our food waste.
Ideas for reducing holiday food waste: Eat the leftovers!
- Before shopping for food this week, check out the leftovers.
- Check food safety guidelines before assuming food should be tossed
- Take an inventory of your pantry before making your shopping list. If you purchased extra stuffing or cranberry sauce, plan a meal now to use it before it expires and you find it in the back of your pantry next December!
- Consider donating non-perishable items to the food bank
- Make a detailed shopping list prior to shopping and stick to it. Impulse buys can lead to waste.
Image via Wikipedia - Assess the quantity of fresh fruit and vegetables you toss out each week and reduce your purchases accordingly.
- If you grow your own fruits and vegetables, you can give away the excess to neighbors or the food bank before it goes to waste.
- Purchase in bulk at stores such as PCC or Whole Foods so you can buy the amount you need and avoid excess food and packaging. This is very helpful and cost-effective when purchasing spices you may only need for one recipe.
- Check with the host before bringing perishables to a New Year’s party – if they have too much of an item, it’s likely to go to waste. Instead, consider bringing a pancake mix and syrup for the next day. It’s unique and will surely be happily consumed.
Remember that the best way to reduce food waste is before the food is purchased. Plan carefully so that you don’t overbuy and then you don’t have to spend New Year’s Day tossing out wilted lettuce and leftover stuffing. The best part is, you’ll be one step closer to your New Year’s resolution, saving more and spending less…right??? Just sayin’…
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