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The United States has more than enough food to feed all of its citizens, but billions of pounds of good food end up in landfills or combustion facilities each year. Feeding America reports that a whopping 108 billion pounds of food are wasted annually in the U.S. Many people do not even realize how much good food they toss out and the terrible effects on the environment. Tossing your food in the trash can contributes to climate change and wastes a lot of water. Also, throwing out edible food is a misuse of money, so finding ways to waste less is crucial. Below are some effective tips for reducing your food waste.
Store Food Properly
Improper food storage is one of the major causes of food waste. It is estimated that about two-thirds of food waste at home is caused by food not being used before it becomes bad, and improper storage is a major contributor to this reality. Many people do not know how to properly store vegetables and fruits, leading to premature ripening and rotting. For example, cucumbers, tomatoes, and potatoes should be kept at room temperature instead of refrigerated. Also, separate foods that give off more ethylene gas from ethylene-sensitive produce like apples and potatoes to prevent premature spoilage. You can also store food in your pantry, but know that pests like ants, rodents, and bugs will be attracted to this area. Any items these pests contaminate will need to be thrown away and replaced, but regular pest control management can prevent this.
Drink More Smoothies
Nutrient-packed smoothies are not only refreshing but could be a great and tasty way to reduce food waste. Many produce’s ends, peels, and stems may not look and taste appetizing in their original form. However, including them in smoothies is a great way to prevent them from going to waste. Stems of kale, chard and other greens contain a lot of fiber and nutrients. Therefore, including them in your regular smoothies ensures that you stay on top of healthy eating. The tops of carrots, beets, and strawberries are also excellent additions to smoothies. You can also add fruit and vegetable peels, overripe bananas, and wilted herbs to make your blends more nutritious. Finally, simply save your fruit scraps in freezer bags and toss these odd bits into a blender with milk or juice when it is smoothie time.
Avoid Perfectionism
Fruits and vegetables come in many shapes and sizes, and you likely have a mental picture of how each one should ideally look. Many people shop with this mental picture in mind, rummaging through bins of apples till they find the most perfect-looking ones. However, this obsession with perfect-looking produce is a major contributor to food waste. ReFED, a nonprofit researching food waste policies estimated that over 80% of this waste is generated by homes and businesses like restaurants and grocery stores instead of farms and packinghouses. Therefore, stop seeking flawless fruits and vegetables and embrace more “ugly” produce. This way, you will reduce the amount of perfectly edible produce that ends up in landfills due to rejection.
