TIPS TO REDUCE FOOD WASTE

Our tips section is designed to help you make simple changes at home. If we all followed these tips most of the time, we’d make a big impact by reducing our food waste and at the same time, save money.

MAKE A LIST

A family of four loses around $1500 a year by wasting food.

Plan ahead by making a list and only buying what you know you’ll use.

LEARN THE ART OF FREEZING

Each of us tosses nearly 300 lbs. of food each year.

Get in the habit of freezing leftovers, bread, vegetables and fruit, instead of tossing them in the garbage.

HELP SAVE WATER

Wasting a pound of beef is equivalent to running the shower for 370 minutes.

The longer meat is left out at room temperature, the quicker it will spoil. Always shop for meat, poultry and seafood last and go directly home to put it away.

REVIVE YOUR VEGGIES

A quick soak in ice water for 5-10 minutes can revive wilted veggies.

Even if they can’t be restored, some veggies you intended to eat raw in your salad can still shine in a cooked dish.

OVERCOOKED ISN'T OVER FOR GOOD

Overcooked vegetables can always be transformed into soups or sauces.

Just toss them in the blender with stock, milk, or cream. Vegetables like broccoli, carrots, cauliflower and potatoes are excellent for this.

LESS AIR MEANS LESS FREEZER BURN

This is what happens when food oxidizes in the freezer.

You probably won’t eat a whole loaf of bread at once, so slice it up and pop it in the freezer. Always squeeze any excess air from plastic bags and containers, freezer burn is harmless but does affects taste.

DON'T BE BANANAS

Browning or spotted bananas are perfectly fine to eat.

Bruised parts of bananas may be easily cut away or used. Very brown bananas and frozen bananas are great for baking quick breads, muffins, or cakes.

WASTE LESS WITH KIDS

Start with small portions and minimize untouched food.

We want our kids to try new foods, but studies show many children have to try a food up to 15 times before accepting it. You can always offer seconds when they’re interested.

USE IT UP

90% of us throw away food too soon.

Cook recipes that will use up the food that’s about to go bad in your pantry. Just because your lettuce is wilted doesn’t mean it’s time to toss it.

MAKE MEAL PLANNING SIMPLE

40% of food in America is wasted.

Avoid wasting food by seeing what needs to be used up before you go shopping. Think of a meal to make with those items, check your cupboards for the rest of the ingredients and add missing items to the shopping list.