Food Waste Prevention Week is an international effort to reduce wasted food in our homes, workplaces, and communities. Did you know reducing food waste is the most impactful personal action you can take to combat the climate crisis? Every small step matters. We’ve outlined our top 10 tips below. We can inspire action and create meaningful change- together!

Top 10 Tips to Reduce Food Waste

1. Educate to Motivate

Did you know that 40% of food in the US is wasted? Preventing food waste is the sing-best strategy to reduce emissions and fight global warming. (Sources: Save the Food, Project Drawdown)

2. take inventory

Take inventory of your pantry, fridge, and freezer before you shop! This crucial step helps use up what you have first, and avoids doubling up on items you already have.

3. meal plan

Create a meal plan that takes into account what you already have and needs to be used. Make sure to account for any meals out during the week! Lastly, plan meals with ingredients that can be used multiple ways.

4. make a list

Make a grocery list based on your meal plan. This will help you avoid impulse buying, resulting in uneaten food, and preserving your budget!

5. shop bulk

Utilize our co-ops bulk options for produce, fresh herbs, flours, spices, grains, beans, pasta, and more! Buying just what you need, or a small amount a recipe calls for, helps eliminate waste and reduces packaging!

6. Proper STorage

Learning how to properly store different foods helps extend their life! Water encourages rotting, so don’t wash produce until you’re ready to eat it. Store all leftovers in clear containers so you can easily see what you have and what needs to be eaten.

7. Organize Accordingly

Label an “eat first” section of your fridge as a visual reminder of priority meals or ingredients. Stock your fridge, freezer, and pantry with the mindset of first in, first out, putting older items in front of newer ones.

8. Leftover night

Plan a designated leftover night to use up what didn’t get eaten earlier in the week. Get creative with a “recipe remix” utilizing bits of remaining ingredients. Stir fries, pizza toppings, and soups are all great go-to’s!

9. Freeze & Preserve

You can freeze more than you realize! If you won’t use a fresh food within a week, freeze it. Make quick pickles and jams to extend the life of fruits and veggies.

10. Compost It

Compost inedible food so it stays out of the landfill! Egg shells, peels, stems, and more become rich compost for new food to grow. Hennepin County offers free curbside compost pickup. Alternatively, drop off your food scraps at Wedge Lyndale in partnership with LHENA. Register here.

Learn more, find resources, and watch webinars on Food Waste Prevention Week’s website.