10 Easy Ways to Reduce Food Waste in Your Kitchen
Increasing food waste is a global problem with far-reaching consequences. In the United States alone, one-third of all food produced is wasted, impacting everything from climate change to food security. This wasted food contributes significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions, a major driver of global warming. But instead of waiting for big corporations and politicians to act, there are things YOU can do to be part of the change. In this article I share 10 easy ways reduce food waste on your kitchen. Even if you adopt one of them, you can start making a difference today!
A matter of respect
My passion for reducing food waste stems from my German upbringing. My parents, grandparents, and great-grandmother engrained a deep respect for food in me as a result of their frugal, post-war upbringing. In my opinion, food should not be wasted to save money only but also out of respect for people who don’t have access to food like us in the first place.
Here are 50 quotes about food waste reduction to get your wheels spinning.
Benefits of reducing food waste
Reducing food waste is a win-win for your wallet and the planet. It shrinks your grocery bill, conserves precious water and land needed for food production, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
How to reduce food waste in 10 easy steps
Here are 10 ways you decrease food waste in your kitchen and actively contribute to a more sustainable food system:
- Meal planning
Before you head to the grocery store, take some time to plan your meals for the week. This will help you create a targeted grocey list that avoids impulse buys and ensures you only purchase the fresh produce and ingredients you’ll actually use. Consider the shelf life of your groceries and prioritize using what you already have in your pantry, fridge, and freezer. - Food storage and pantry organisation
Proper food storage is key to preventing waste. Learn how to store different types of food, especially fruit and vegetables, to extend their lifespan. Invest in clear containers to easily see what you have on hand and avoid forgotten vegetables lurking in the fridge or the back of the pantry. Do a pantry, fridge, and freezer audit regularly to prevent keep track of everything you already have at home. You’ll be amazed by how much it is! - “Waste not, want not“
Just like this popular food waste proverb, get creative in the kitchen and find ways to use every edible part of your ingredients. Stale bread can be transformed into delicious breadcrumbs, bread pudding casserole, French toast, or croutons. Vegetable scraps like carrot tops can be whizzed up into a flavorful sunflower pesto, and leftover bones simmered into a nutritious homemade bone broth. Simply stew tired-looking berries in some honey as a topping for oatmeal or desserts later in the work. - Preservation techniques
Explore old-fashioned food preservation techniques like fermentation, pickling, canning, and curing to name a few. Preserved foods add variety to your meals while extending the shelf life of perishable foods including meat, vegetables, and dairy. Homemade preserves including red sauerkraut, fig chutney, and onion jam also make great food gifts. - Composting
Compost any food scraps you can’t use. Look into options like backyard composting systems or composting schemes in your community. Turning organic waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer is a great way to divert food waste from landfills and improve soil health in your or someone else’ garden. - Simple recipes
We all have that special ingredient lurking in our fridge that we used 1 tsp of for a ethnic recipe we made weeks ago. But often the most delicious meals come with a short ingredient list. By making simple recipes or zero waste recipes if you like that celebrate seasonal produce you’ll end up with less ingredients to use up later AND save time cooking. - Love leftovers
Leftover food get a bad rap at times. Just think of it as batch cooking, keeping in mind that depending on the dish you don’t have to eat it the next day. Freeze single portions for easy lunches during a busy work week. Transform leftovers into a delicious stews, curries, or pasta bakes. Dinner pies and stir-fry “hide” leftovers well too. - Imperfect produce
Put your food waste hero cape on and start buying “imperfect produce” from your local grocery store or through a subscription service. These fruits and vegetables may not be cosmetically perfect, but they are just as delicious and nutritious, and buying them helps prevent them from being thrown away. - Food dating labels
Don’t be fooled by expiration dates. “Sell By” and “Best Before” refer to quality, not safety. Educate yourself on different food product dating labels to avoid tossing out perfectly good food. - Portion patrol
Cook according to appetites. There’s no point in preparing a feast if half ends up in the bin, especially during the holiday season. Serve food with bowls and platters at the table, allowing everyone to take smaller portions. This way, you avoid over-serving and wasted food. Ask for a doggy bag at restaurants and enjoy a restaurant-quality meal the next day at home. Share meals of the portion sizes are too big to start with, especially for kids.
By adopting these simple food saving tips, you’ll be reducing your food bill and envirnonmental impact one meal at a time. Remember, zero waste cooking is a journey, not a destination. Every bit helps, even if you just adopt one food saving tip into your routine.
Educate your family and friends in a positive way, have fun with it, and enjoy the delicious rewards of a kitchen that respects food.
United States food waste initiatives
Did you know that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Economic Research Service are actively involved in researching and promoting food waste reduction strategies.
New Zealand food waste initiatives
Love Food Hate Waste NZ is the trusted voice in New Zealand when it comes to reducing food waste. You can also find more information via the Ministry for Environment.