What are some practical ways to reduce food waste in my home?
Here are some practical ways to reduce food waste in your home:
- Plan meals ahead of time and only buy the groceries you need to avoid over-purchasing.
- Store food properly to keep it fresh for longer, such as using airtight containers or keeping items in the refrigerator.
- Learn to use all parts of the food, including vegetable scraps and meat bones, to create broths or stocks.
- Freeze leftover food that you can’t consume right away to extend its shelf life.
- Use creative ways to use up leftovers, such as incorporating them into new dishes or packing them for lunch.
- Buy misshapen or “ugly” produce, which is often sold at a discount, to reduce food waste.
- Donate excess food to local food banks or community organizations that accept donations.
- Compost food scraps to create nutrient-rich soil for gardening or farming.
- Avoid expiration date confusion by learning about the differences between “use by” and “best by” labels.
- Consider implementing a “first in, first out” system for food storage to ensure that older items are used up before newer ones.
foodsavingexpert Asked question 13 February 2023