Go Green... Managing food waste is great for your budget and the environment!

Did you know the average American household spends $1,866 on food that ends up being wasted every year?

Wasting food is hard on the budget, but the true cost of unused food reaches much further. Just one year’s worth of uneaten food in the US alone results in resources being wasted:

• Enough calories to feed 150 million people for a year
• 170 million MTCO2e GHG (Metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gas) emissions (not including landfill emissions) – a massive amount equal to yearly CO2 emissions of 42 coal-fired power plants. 
• 664 billion kWh energy – which is the equivalent of the energy needed to power more than 50 million U.S. homes annually.

The greatest benefit to your budget and the environment is through waste reduction, rather than composting.  Fortunately, little changes can add up to a big difference over time!

Step1: Get to the fridge and set it up so food stays good for as long as possible!

• Set your refrigerator temperature: use a thermometer inside the fridge and adjust the temperature to achieve a temperature of 37F.  This temperature is cool enough to prevent spoilage, without being unnecessarily cold.
• Use your crisper drawers: designed to adjust humidity, crisper drawers should be set for a high humidity setting for greens that wilt easily, like peas, peppers, strawberries, and a low humidity setting for items that are not sensitive to moisture loss like apples, avocados, and mangoes.  Storing these items under ideal conditions will help them last much longer! For more information, click here.
• When planning a trip to the grocery store:
• Use up the perishables on hand first before buying more
• Plan meals around what you already have
• Rotate stock (use last week’s one remaining egg before cracking the new carton)

Step 2: Understand Expiration Dates

Did you know that expiration dates and practices vary widely from state to state and manufacture to manufacture? Truly understanding expiration dates on food can help us know when to keep or compost, eliminating unnecessary waste.

• Except for infant formula, there is no federal regulation requiring expiration dating in food
• Best if used by/Sell by/Use by/Freeze by dates are intended to indicate peak quality and are not safety dates.  Learn more here!
• Foods can be safe to eat after expiration dates pass depending on how they were stored, except in the case of infant formula. Curious about something in particular?  Check this guide!

Learn more about dates with this video.

Step 3: Meal management

If food waste frequently occurs, consider the following options to help manage 

• Consider frozen veggies and fruits for cooked dishes, as they are much more shelf stable
• Plan meals, so you can use the fresh foods in a timely way
• Have a system for leftovers.  Consuming leftovers instead of preparing another meal saves you time and money!
• Parties can result in a lot of food waste.  If you love to host, plan food options that you might also want to consume the day after the party or freeze well. For instance, a chili bar with fresh veggies and other toppings. the chili can be frozen in individual portions, fresh veggies can be stored frozen or fresh for a frittata or stir fry, and hard cheeses can also be frozen. 

Step 4: Compost 

• Check out this directory to find out what options are available in your area, or this guide to composting at home.  
• For more detailed composting resources, click here.