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- Preventing Wasted Food
Preventing Wasted Food
Are you interested in discovering how to reduce wasted food in your home while saving money? Check out the resources on this page. Want to learn more? Visit WastedFoodStopsWithUs.org!
Ways to Reduce Wasted Food
Shop Smart
- Shop your refrigerator and pantry first! Cook or eat what you already have at home before buying more.
- Plan your meals before you go shopping and buy only those things on your list.
Think Outside the Box
- Be creative! Try substituting if you don't have exact ingredients. Use up odds and ends, and leftovers before your next grocery shop.
- Freeze, preserve or can surplus fruits and vegetables-especially abundant seasonal produce.
Ordering Out
- At restaurants, order only what you know you can finish, or be sure to take home the leftovers for another meal.
Store Your Food Properly
- Who is the largest contributor of food waste?
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The home consumer of food. Home consumption accounts for nearly 40% of all food waste.
- What’s the most important thing I can do to reduce my food waste?
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Buy only what you need. The greatest contributor to food waste is over-buying. Research your recipes, make a list, shop your pantry, buy what you need, and store your food properly.
- How do I safely preserve my leftovers?
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You want to reduce the temperature by moving leftovers to the fridge or freezer. There is a temperature range that is ideal for bacterial growth. By reducing the time food products are in that “danger zone” you can maintain a wholesome reusable food product.
- Why is food waste a problem?
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Nearly 1/3 of all food is wasted. Organic materials that wind up in the landfill produce methane, a harmful greenhouse gas. Additionally, 17.9% of Hamilton County residents are food insecure. With so much food available, we need to figure out how to reduce waste and get it to the people who need it the most.
- How do I donate my unused food to a food access location?
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Your home food scraps are not generally donatable. They can however be re-used to make dishes for your family. If you have unopened food that is wholesome and healthy you can consider donating them directly to a local food pantry or you can use them to make a meal for a soup kitchen. Having a relationship with a food access point is important. You’ll better understand the needs of your community and how to best help those in need.