Food waste is a major problem in America. Every year, we throw away enough food to feed 100 million people. This wasted food costs us billions of dollars and contributes to climate change.
There are many reasons why we waste food in America. Some of the most common reasons include:
Overbuying food: We often buy more food than we need, either because we don't plan our meals carefully or because we're tempted by sales. Meal Planning is a great way to stop over buying. It is also a great way for parents to teach their children how to prepare a well balanced diet. Food Prepping is also a helpful tool to keep us from over eating! Portion control keeps us in shape!
Not cooking food: We often end up throwing away food because we don't cook it or we don't eat it all before it expires. We often put things on our grocery list and then never make them. Often times we get caught up in life and it seems easier or more convienent to stop and get take out or eat out than to eat at home. This practice is a budget buster! Eating out is so expensive and you almost never get the same quality of food as you do when you prepare food at home.
Not storing food properly: We can also waste food by not storing it properly. For example, fruits and vegetables should be stored in the refrigerator, not on the counter. Use reuasble air tight containers in your pantry. Not only does this help keep you organized and makes meal prepping easier, it keeps pests at bay!
Not composting food scraps: Food scraps can be composted and turned into nutrient-rich soil. We can use this soil in our container gardens, home gardens or greenhouses to grow herbs and produce. Instead, of throwing them away, where they contribute to methane emissions in landfills.
Food waste has a number of negative consequences. It costs us billions of dollars each year, both in terms of the wasted food itself and the resources that went into producing it. It also not sustainable or eco friendly. Food waste in landfills not only takes up resources to transport it to the landful but it also produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
There are a number of things we can do to reduce food waste in America. Here are a few tips:
Plan your meals ahead of time: This will help you avoid overbuying food. Let your kids participate in meal planning, making hte shopping list and doing the food shopping. This teaches them lifelong lessons in meal panning, budgeting, and creativity!
Cook only what you will eat: Leftovers can be saved for another meal or preserved for later. Dehydrating, canning or freezing works well for when you are in a time crunch at a later time. It makes it easier to skip the drive through!
Store food properly: This will help keep it fresh longer, keep your pantry organized and keep pests at bay!
Don't be afraid to eat imperfect food: Fruits and vegetables with blemishes are still safe to eat. Find out who your local gleeners are, find local food salvagers or produce rescues! You can get amazing deals on produce that did not meet contract standards. Sometimes this food just isnt the right color, shape, or size to meet contractual standards. You can buy this produce deeply discounted from farm stores, directly from farms or local produce salvage/rescues!
Donate food to food banks or pantries: This will help feed people in need. Cook for the elderly in your area. Many older people are shut in and can no longer fully care for themselves, or simply just are livign alone, or unable due to handicap or inaffordability to make proper balanced meals. Share with your neighbors! In 2021, 34.2 million people in the United States were food insecure. This means that they did not have access to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members. This boggles my mind! Especially knowing how much food goes to waste!
Compost food scraps: This will help return nutrients to the soil.
By following these tips, we can all help reduce food waste in America.
Here are some additional ways to reduce food waste in America:
Support businesses that are committed to reducing food waste: Look for restaurants and grocery stores that donate food to food banks or compost food scraps.
Get involved in your community's food waste reduction efforts: There may be local organizations that are working to reduce food waste. You can volunteer your time or donate to their cause.
Spread the word about the importance of reducing food waste: Talk to your friends and family about the issue and share tips on how to reduce food waste at home.
Every little bit helps! By making small changes in our daily lives, we can all help reduce food waste in America and make a difference for our communities, our country and our planet.
