Did you know that as of 2023, it is estimated that 2.5 billion tons of food is wasted every year? The United States outpaces all other countries with respect to food waste, contributing 60 million tons annually. This equates to roughly 160 billion pounds, 40% of which comes directly from waste in the food supply and another 20% from landfills. Food waste occurs at virtually every level of food production and distribution, from farming to shipping, in retail, and in particular, with consumers. Increasing our knowledge about food waste can help to prevent its consequences and support sustainability efforts.
The cost of food waste is substantial and adds up quickly. A typical family of four in the US throws out roughly $1,600 annually in wasted produce. Implementing meal planning and preparation can help to keep your grocery shopping more strategic, lower your overall grocery bill, and reduce wasted groceries each week. For example, grocery shopping for fruits and vegetables without a plan often leads to spoiling before preparation even occurs and eventually, those foods become waste—planning which meal they will be utilized in and on which day can ensure produce is consumed when it is still fresh. Best practice for good food safety measures is to meal prep for 3-4 days at a time. Most prepared foods should be discarded after four days. Additionally, properly storing groceries in their designated storage areas at home can help to prolong spoilage. For example, potatoes, onions, and garlic are best kept in dark areas, while ripened apples, bananas, and carrots should be stored in the refrigerator to slow the ripening process.
Other ways to soften your food waste footprint is to shop for “imperfect” produce. A substantial amount of food is wasted each year simply for looks such as having an unusual shape, color, or even for blemishes on a peel that will be discarded prior to eating. This equally nutritious and delicious produce often gets thrown into the landfill and wasted. To reduce food
waste at grocery stores and farmer’s markets, aim to purchase “imperfect” fruits and vegetables when you can. This produce is often offered at a discounted price, saving you money while also supporting the environment. Asking about “imperfect” produce can even be a great conversation starter with one of the farmer’s at your local farmer’s market!
Another great tool in the food waste reduction toolkit is at-home composting. Compost is made from food scraps that can be utilized as plant fertilizer. Composting supports environmental sustainability by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and nourishes soil to improve its physical properties! There are many ways to approach at-home composting. To learn more, view this excellent resource.
Food waste is inevitable in today’s world, but each of us can individually make important strides to reduce our contributions. Implementing waste-reducing strategies can be a great first step to help our wallet, better utilize the foods we purchase, and support global sustainability efforts!
