Ways to Avoid Wasting Food

Food/Cooking - General Food

By: IzzyDuncan     04-Jan-2011

Introduction:

Americans throw away so much food every day that the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates it would feed four million people. This totals 26 million tons of food a year -- a quarter of the total US food supply is thrown away, according to the USDA. Food waste costs money and it also creates solid waste issues, including methane gas. Food waste is easily avoided by following just one or two easy steps each week.

Freeze First

When the bags are unloaded from the grocery store, freeze anything perishable that you know you won't use in the next two days. Remove the meat and prepared food from the grocery containers since the packaging is not designed for freezing. Use special containers to protect your foods from freezer burn to avoid ruining your groceries that were fresh frozen.

Prepare and Store

Make sure your cereals and pastas are repackaged for storage at home. Place cereals in storage containers with air-tight seals to avoid spoilage. These steps can ensure your food will last for several months without spoiling.

Plan Weekly Menus

Weekly menu preparation helps plan practical meals. Sit down before heading out the grocery store to make a list of what will be used for each meal over the course of a week or two. List specific food items that are required for each meal. Use this menu to make a "to buy list" for the grocery store. Avoid the store other times when you might be tempted to purchase unnecessary food that won't be prepared and end up in the trash.

Involve Others

If others will be eating meals at the house, involve these folks in the menu planning and storage. You may find lamb chops tasty, but your kids may pass on the other ten chops in the package. Encourage kids and significant others to use the air-tight packaging to keep food fresh. Target a family goal for saving food, and money from the food savings, and chart the progress each week on the kitchen refrigerator.

Use Fresh Daily

The easiest way to stop wasting food is to buy only what you need from a fresh food market near your home. This may not be possible unless you live on a farm or in an urban center where markets offer fresh food. Try flash freezing produce and in-season fruit to avoid waste and save money during the winter months when fresh fruits and veggies bring top dollar.





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