

Thursday, 31 March 2016

12 Easy Ways to Reduce Food Waste

Reduce food waste in your home simply and effectively and save money


Easy Ways to Reduce Food Waste

Food is something that is becoming more expensive every day yet it continues to be wasted each and every day in large amounts. Every time food is thrown into the trash bin money is wasted along with discarding vast amounts of resources as well as the energy and water that it took to produce this food. 

Yet there are millions of people in the world that continue to not have enough to eat. The money that you save from food wastage can be donated to food banks, shelters, and other food organizations around the world. 

Here are some ways to cut down on food waste:

1. Plan meals. Meal planning is one of the best ways to ensure that you only purchase the food that you need and use it up. Try to plan your meals over any foods that you may already have on hand. 

2. Shop wisely. Make a list adding only what you need. Before you head to the store check to see what you already have in your fridge and cupboards. Also remember to avoid impulse buys, especially when standing around the check out counter.

3. Store food properly. Keep opened packages of dry foods from going stale by resealing packages with a binder clip or store them in air tight containers. Follow the guidelines for storing fresh fruit and vegetables as some are best kept at room temperature and others refrigerated.

4. Separate the bad guys. If you see a fruit or vegetable that's ripening faster than the others remove him from the rest as it can effect the others.

5. Strategize with freshness. Eat foods according to how quickly they will spoil. Enjoy fresh berries, peaches, mangoes, and leafy green veggies first. If you do not plan to cook newly purchased meat or fish within two or three days then freeze it.

6. Reduce portion sizes. This goes for children as well as adults since obesity rates continue to climb among all age groups. Start off filling the plates with less food. If someone wants to have seconds then just add some more.

7. Include yesterday’s leftovers in today's lunch. If there is not enough to go around slice up some raw vegetables to go with it, make a salad, or some pasta. 

8. Give overripe fruits a chance. Over ripened fruits are not spoiled and are still full of flavor. Freeze the fruit and use them in pies, muffins, juices, or smoothies. To make smoothies place fruit in a blender, add some milk, and a little honey if desired for a healthy, delicious, and filling drink.

9. Make vegetable soup stock. Use peels, ends, and over ripe whole vegetables chopped up such as carrots, celery, potatoes, green onions, onions, peppers, etc.

10. Take home leftover when eating out. Restaurant portions are often much more than you would normally eat for a meal. Bring your own reusable container to save you the time of waiting for someone to pack it up for you.

11. Donate unused good food. If you notice any foods you have on hand that is not being consumed let someone else use it before it becomes spoiled. Maybe you wanted to try out a new fruit or recipe with your family which resulted in nobody liking it. Take it to a food bank, shelter, or even a neighbor.

12. Compost it. Sometimes no matter how much you do there may always be some food scraps left. Set up a compost bin for a last resort as this is the most environmentally friendly way to dispose of it.

What steps do you take in your home to reduce food waste?


  1. These are great tips! I've been really bad about letting certain fresh veggies spoil before I use them. I'm trying to be better about it though.

  2. We learned this the hard way and I'm glad we're not just getting the portions that we can finish instead of buying too much food. We didn't only reduce the food waste, we also were able to save money. Thank you for the tips, those are truly effective.

  3. thanks so much for the tips I am hoping that this helps in our home
    come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com

  4. These are great tips. It's a golden rule here at home to not waste food, and I'm glad my son adheres to the rule, too.

  5. Thank you for the tips! I will follow some. Glad you shared it to us.

  6. I agree, despite becoming more expensive, more foods are wasted every day all around the world, while there are millions who die out of hunger. These are some great tips to reduce food waste & I think everyone of us have the responsibility to step-in to do something on the same.