Save $1600 & Reduce Food Waste
The average American family of four throws out $1,600 a year in produce. Think of what a family could spend this money on instead of throwing it in the trash! It could be towards a family vacation. If you multiply that by the typical 18 years that a child lives at home, you could easily pay for a year’s worth of college tuition.
What would you spend $1600 on instead of wasted food?
The United States discards more food than any other country in the world: nearly 60 million tons — 120 billion pounds — every year. This is almost 40 % of the entire US food supply. This equates to 325 pounds of waste per person. Think of it this way – each person is throwing 325 lbs. of food right into the landfill. In fact, food is the single largest component taking up space inside US landfills, making up 22 percent of municipal solid waste.
Food wasted in America has an approximate value of nearly $218 billion – the equivalent of 130 billion meals. 1 in 12 households in Minnesota have food insecurity. This could be alleviated by food rescue efforts.
11 % of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions is from wasted food.
Food breaks down and produces methane, a greenhouse gas with heat-trapping potential 25X greater than your food waste is a significant opportunity to mitigate climate change.
How to Prevent Food Waste
Making a list with weekly meals in mind can save you money and time. If you only buy what you expect to use, you will be more likely to eat it all.
Look in your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry first to avoid buying food you already have. Make a list each week of what needs to be used up and plan upcoming meals around it.
Practice the rule “1st in, 1st out”. After food shopping, newly purchased foods that have a longer shelf-life should be stored at the back of the cupboard, fridge or freezer. Older products (first in) that will expire sooner should be moved toward the front to ensure they are used next (first out).
Plan your meals for the week before you go shopping and buy only the things needed for those meals.
Make your shopping list based on how many meals you’ll eat at home. Consider how often you will eat out, if you plan to eat frozen precooked meals, and if you will eat leftovers for any of your meals.
Include quantities on your shopping list noting how many meals you’ll make with each item to avoid overbuying. For example: “salad greens - enough for two lunches”.
Buying in large quantities (e.g., buy one, get one free deals) only saves money if you use all the food before it spoils.
Buying food from bulk bins saves you money and reduces food waste and packaging if you purchase the amount of food you need. When buying in bulk, remember to store food properly in airtight, labeled containers.
Purchase imperfect produce. Imperfect produce may have physical imperfections but is just as safe and nutritious and can sometimes be found at discounted prices.
Refrigerate or freeze any leftovers in clear, labeled containers with dates.
Get creative! You can make soup with scraps or leftovers. Some people don’t like to eat the same thing. A friend of mine made a great soup with a little leftover lasagna.
Don’t throw food in trash. Compost it!
Resources:
https://www.rts.com/resources/guides/food-waste-america/