Did you know that in the United States, we waste about 40% of the food we produce? That’s a lot of wasted money and resources. Restaurant Garbage is one of the main causes of this food waste. In fact, according to the EPA, restaurants generate more than 11 million tons of garbage annually. I’ll share some quick tips for reducing food waste in this blog post. Whether you’re trying to save money or help the environment, these tips will help.
Plan Your Meals Ahead of Time
One of the best ways to reduce food waste is to plan your meals ahead of time. This way, you can ensure you’re only buying the ingredients you need and you won’t have any leftovers that will go bad. You can also batch cook meals, so you have leftovers for later in the week. This is a great way to save time and money.
Store Your Food Properly
Another way to reduce food waste is to store your food properly. This means keeping things like fruits and vegetables in the fridge rather than letting them go bad on the counter. It also means making sure you’re using airtight containers for leftovers, so they don’t dry out or get freezer burn.
Compost Your Food Scraps
If you can’t eat it, compost it! Food scraps can be a great addition to your compost bin. This way, you’re not throwing them away and they’ll eventually turn into rich soil that can be used to grow more food. Make sure you’re composting the right things – no meat or dairy.
Use Leftovers for Creative Recipes
Who doesn’t love finding a delicious new recipe to use up leftovers? You can turn last night’s dinner into an entirely new meal with creativity. Here are a few of our favorite recipes for using up leftovers.
- Leftover Chicken: Chicken Fried Rice
- Leftover steak: Philly Cheese Steak Sliders
- Leftover roast: Pot Roast Tacos
- Leftover pork: Pulled Pork Nachos
- Leftover veggies: Veggie Stir Fry
So, the next time you have some leftovers, don’t let them go to waste. Get creative and turn them into a new and exciting meal. Your family will thank you. And, who knows, you might discover a new favorite recipe.
Shop at Farmer Markets
Some people swear by farmers’ markets, and for a good reason. The produce is often fresher and tastier than what you’ll find at the grocery store, and it’s usually cheaper, too. You can also find unique items that you can’t get anywhere else. Plus, it’s a great way to support local farmers and businesses. If you’re looking for the best deals, go early in the day or towards the end, when vendors are more likely to give discounts.
Food waste is a huge problem in the United States, and we all need to be aware of it. Following these simple tips can significantly reduce your food waste and help save money and resources. So, what are you waiting for? Start reducing your food waste today.
