5 Ways to reduce your food waste

Did you know you can make a big impact on the world, just from your kitchen? Approximately 1 billion tons of food, nearly one-fifth of all food available to consumers, is wasted each year. 

This food waste creates a big environmental footprint, generating up to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. To celebrate the International Day of Zero Waste, we’re sharing five small, manageable changes you can make to help you reduce food waste (and maybe save some money, too)!

1. Plan meals around what you already have 

Checking your fridge, freezer, and pantry before you go shopping helps use up food before it spoils. Consider creating a “use-it-up” meal each week like a soup, curry, or stir fry to use up whatever needs using. 

2. Sign up for a CSA share 

A Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share is a great way to reduce food waste - both in your home and on the farm! CSA farmers know in advance how many shares they need to fill, which reduces the likelihood of overproduction - a huge contributor to agricultural waste. 

Receiving a weekly share encourages members to be more creative and resourceful in their cooking, learning about new veggies and how to enjoy them! Find a share near you here.

3. Store food in ways that help it last

A few simple adjustments on how you store your produce can extend the life of your fresh food:

• Put herbs upright in a jar with a little water

• Leafy greens stay fresher in a container with a cloth to absorb moisture

• Keep produce that needs to be eaten quickly at the front of your fridge or keep it eye-level so it’s top of mind 

There are plenty of produce storage charts available online to help remind you of specific storage tips to keep your fruits and veggies fresh. 

4. Make the most of “ugly” produce 

Don’t be afraid of the wrinkled carrots or soft tomato at the back of your fridge! Turn less than perfect veggies into soups, sauces, or stock. Use overripe fruit for baking. Take that stale bread and make breadcrumbs. 

5. Compost what you can’t use

Food waste and scraps make up the largest part of trash in Wisconsin landfills (up to 20%). Composting your food scraps not only keeps them out of landfills, it also returns carbon and important nutrients to the soil! 

New to composting? Check out some composting resources here!

Small steps make a difference in the world

Reducing waste doesn’t require perfection, just small changes. What’s one change you’re going to make this spring to reduce your food waste?