Three Easy Strategies to Reduce Food Waste
In many poorer countries, wasting food is hardly ever an issue because there’s often not enough to go around. On the other hand, many Americans face a big problem with food waste. Supermarkets and restaurants throw away a lot of food, and the typical American family ends up ditching about a quarter of the groceries they buy. This wasteful habit costs them more than $2000 each year. Beyond the money, it’s also about wasting resources that could be put to better use.
Here are three easy tips to help reduce food waste that anyone can try. Think about it – who wouldn’t want an extra $2,000 at the end of the year?
1. Make the Most of Your Freezer: The freezer is your best friend when it comes to conserving food. There are many foods you can save by freezing them. Once a month, I dedicate a day to cooking in bulk and freezing meals. This approach not only cuts costs but helps reduce food waste and minimizes last-minute grocery trips. You can freeze items that you might not get to before they spoil. I keep things like Ezekiel bread and other perishables in the freezer. I also freeze large batches of minced garlic and diced onions to avoid wastage, as these tend to be most wasted in my home.
2. Rotate Your Recipes: It’s easy to forget about a cucumber or tomato in the fridge until it’s overripe. To avoid this, check your fridge every two weeks and note items that need to be eaten soon. Often, you can just cut away the bad parts on fruits, vegetables, cheese, or bread. Here are some ideas for repurposing slightly past-prime foods:
– Overripe apples and pears can be turned into applesauce or pies.
– Milk that’s nearing expiration can be used in baked goods or to make bread.
– Soft veggies like carrots, zucchini, and asparagus can be roasted or added to soups.
– Leftover vegetables and herbs can be used to make a hearty vegetable broth in a slow cooker.
3. Don’t Always Follow Expiration Dates: If food looks, smells, and tastes fine, it’s probably okay to eat. Many times, we throw out food just because the expiration date has passed without checking if it’s still good. If spinach still looks and smells fresh, there’s no harm in using it past the best-before date. My partner even drinks milk beyond its expiration, as long as it smells fine.
