6 Easy Ways to Reduce Food Waste

While throwing away uneaten leftovers or the last of the fruit that became moldy might not seem like a big deal, all of these little bits can add up to a lot of extra waste, and unfortunately, a good portion of our groceries end up in the garbage. Here are a few ways you can help reduce food waste and even save some money in the process!

1. Make a shopping list (and stick to it).

This will help keep you accountable to only buy the food and ingredients you know you will need, so your food waste and grocery bill will not pile up.

1. Buy more frozen foods.

While there are times when fresh produce is best, frozen foods (like fruits and vegetables) stay good for months and are just as nutritious whether they are frozen or not.

1. Properly store food to maximize freshness.

Educate yourself on the best way to store different foods in order to prolong the amount of time foods stay good. For example check out this resource that tells you how to keep each food fresh for as long as possible.

1. Eat older foods first.

Do a fast regular sweep of your fridge and pantry to keep track of when foods are about to expire, and rotate your older foods to the front when you buy new groceries.

1. Share what you won’t use.

Try a new food that you didn’t like or have more leftovers than anticipated? Share it with someone else (like a friend or neighbor) to prevent it from ending up in the garbage.

1. Get creative.

If a recipe calls for an ingredient you don’t have, see if you can use something you already have on hand as an alternative.

Implementing these easy and simple tips into your routine will dramatically reduce your amount of food waste, and you may even notice a decrease in your grocery bill!