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We’ve all heard the wasted food stats in this country. In summary, 40% of the food grown in the U.S. is wasted. If you pause, it’s shocking. And while we all love our food and don’t intend to waste, sometimes we do. By shopping smart, storing food properly, understanding food labels, serving the right amounts, using up leftovers and recycling our food waste, we can make changes in our daily lives that significantly lower our environmental impact. We don’t have be perfect, just do better!
Wasted food…
Uses natural resources and depletes the environment while producing no tangible benefits.
Put in landfills, it releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
Takes money from our wallets. The average family of four loses $1800 in wasted food each year.
The good news? By changing a few simple habits, we can reduce wasted food!
1) Smart Shopping
Meal plan for the week before shopping
Choose fresh produce that will last longer – see tips HERE.
Add frozen fruits and vegetables to your cart – they’re less expensive, already chopped, and ready to use in between shopping trips
Buy “ugly” vegetables. Retailers say they throw out misshapen fruits and vegetables because they think their customers won’t buy them. Prove them wrong! The “misfits” are nutritious and safe to eat -- maybe that ripe banana is perfect for baking or a healthful shake.
2) Smart Storage
Declutter your fridge on a weekly basis and store items properly to ensure they’ll last longer – learn more on the USDA app
Create an “Eat First” bin in the fridge for food that’s getting old
Freeze some food now if you might not eat it soon enough; be sure to label the container with the contents and date.
Wash and chop fruits and vegetables as soon as you arrive home from shopping, so that they’re ready to use for fast meals and snacks.
3) Learn What Labels Mean
“Sell By” is the date past which food vendors must stop displaying and selling the item. It is still usually perfectly safe to eat.
“Best If Used By” is an industry term to indicate best flavor and quality. It is still usually perfectly safe to eat.
4) Be a Generous Host Without Wasting
When hosting friends and family, Americans like putting on a big spread. It’s often a point of pride, and a sign of being both well-off and generous, to fill the table to overflowing. But how much of that food goes uneaten?
When planning, carefully consider how much food will be enough but not too much. And if you do have leftovers, be sure to use them as soon as possible. Creative ideas and recipes that incorporate leftovers can be found HERE.
5) Recycle Your Food Waste
When you can’t avoid wasting food, and for all those peels, pits, and husks, please recycle! Join Bronxville’s growing Food Scrap Recycling Program, a residential composting program. The Village offers a kit that includes everything you need for easy kitchen collection of all your food scraps and waste. Learn more about this program.
For more information about wasted food:
The Environmental Protection (EPA)’s website on wasted food
Westchester County Waste Reduction Efforts
Natural Resources Defense League, “Wasted: How American Is Losing Up to 40 Percent of Its Food From Farm to Fork to Landfill”
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