After coming across this article about food waste, I started brainstorming the various ways I already avoid wasting food at home, and ways I can further reduce how much food gets thrown out.
The amount of food waste in America is shocking - approximately 40% of the national food supply is wasted every year (National Resources Defense Council). And this doesn't only occur in the homes of consumers; it happens on virtually every step of the way from the original source to your home. Not only does this mean the food itself is wasted, but also the resources used to get it from one step to the next, including water, gas, and so on.
It doesn't seem like one person can make a difference in such a widespread problem, but you actually can make a positive impact with a few small changes.
1. Buy locally
Local growers often use sustainable practices to conserve energy and reduce chemical exposure, and buying locally helps to reduce transportation costs. This is one area I need to improve upon; I can start to buy food locally by visiting farmer's markets and shopping at locally-owned stores.
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2. Plan your weekly menu
By planning out your menu, you can make sure not to over-buy and subsequently end up with more food than you can eat. Buy enough perishables to last a week, and immediately freeze anything that you know will not be used right away. I typically buy a week's worth of groceries, although I occasionally end up with a little more produce than we can eat.
3. Use your eyes and nose
Expiration dates and "best by" dates are not set in stone. You can usually use dairy products up to a week after the sell by date. Of course, you should always use your best judgment by carefully looking over food - and smelling it - after passing its expiration date.
4. Keep leftovers
I have heard of people who don't like leftovers and throw them away, and it surprises me because we love leftovers at our house. It makes lunchtime so much easier! If you don't want to eat them right away, you can always freeze leftovers, or use them to create a whole new dish for the next meal. For example, use mashed potatoes to make Shepherd's Pie, or save leftover chicken breast to make a casserole.
5. Start composting
A few days ago, my husband and I were using our new juicer when we realized how much of the fruit and vegetables we were wasting. We will always have some type of food waste, but that doesn't mean we have to toss it into the garbage. One of my green challenges for the new year will be starting to compost in the spring, and to use the compost as a fertilizer.
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We don't waste much food in our house, but there is always room for improvement. I feel guilty when something goes bad, and we have to throw it in the garbage. I'm hoping by implementing a couple changes into our lives, we will be able to further reduce the amount of food waste in our home.
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