5 Ways to Reduce Food Waste
5 Ways to Reduce Food Waste
According to the USDA, it is estimated that 30-40% of the United States’ food supply is wasted. Food waste has many wide-reaching effects. When food is wasted, so are all the inputs needed to grow, harvest, ship and sell that food. In addition, food waste affects the many Americans experiencing hunger daily. Reducing food waste should be a goal of every player in the food system, including individual households. Here are 5 ideas to reduce food waste in the home.
Come up with creative ways to use leftover ingredients. One of the most common wasted ingredients is herbs. Add herbs to a bean salad with an assortment of raw and/or cooked vegetables. Mix herbs into rice or other grain dishes. Blend herbs into a Mixed Herb Vinaigrette.
Buy frozen ingredients. Use portions of frozen produce without defrosting the whole bag. Ingredients and recipes include: frozen fruit (Mixed Berry Smoothie, Blueberry Chocolate Smoothie, Tropical Smoothie), cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower), whole grains (quinoa, brown rice, bread) and edamame.
Meal plan. Sketch out a meal plan, then write a grocery list before shopping.
Make sheet pan roasted veggies. Roasting can revive veggies that might not be the most fresh. Chop vegetables with comparable cooking times into similar sizes. Toss with olive oil, salt, pepper and an assortment of spices and/or herbs. Recipes include: Simple Roasted Broccoli, Lemon Roasted Cauliflower, Blistered Tomatoes, Roasted Carrots with Dill, Roasted Bell Peppers, Brussels Sprouts & Cauliflower, Acorn Squash and Kabocha Squash.
Keep food storage in mind. Storing fresh ingredients such as lettuce appropriately can extend their shelf life and maintain their integrity.
