Earth Day is a time to reflect on our impact on the environment and take action to reduce it. One simple way to make a difference is by reducing food waste.
According to the USDA, food waste is estimated to be between 30-40% of the food supply in the United States. Not only is this wasteful, but it also significantly impacts the environment, including greenhouse gas emissions and land use.
Reducing food waste can save you money and help protect the planet. Here are some tips for reducing food waste while saving you money.
Plan Your Meals and Grocery Shop Accordingly
One of the easiest ways to reduce food waste is by planning your meals ahead of time and only purchasing what you need. Meal Planning can help you avoid buying items you don't use, which can go bad and end up being thrown away.
Online grocery shopping services like Amazon Fresh, Instacart, and Walmart Grocery make it easy to plan your meals and only purchase what you need without the temptation of impulse buys.
Use A Meal Kit Delivery Service
Meal kit delivery services like HelloFresh, Blue Apron, and Home Chef can also help reduce food waste. These services provide pre-portioned ingredients for specific meals, so you only receive what you need. Meal kit services minimize waste and save you money by eliminating the need to purchase large quantities of ingredients you may not use.
HelloFresh, in particular, is strongly committed to reducing food waste and has implemented several initiatives to achieve this goal, including sourcing locally and responsibly and partnering with Feeding America to donate surplus food to those in need.
Store Your Food Properly
Proper food storage can also help reduce food waste.
Store perishable items, like fruits and vegetables, in the refrigerator to keep them fresh longer.
Use airtight containers to store leftovers and ensure that they are properly labeled with the date they were made, so you can easily keep track of when they need to be eaten.
Reducing food waste not only helps the environment but also saves money. By planning your meals, using meal kit delivery services, and properly storing your food, you can help reduce food waste and save money. This Earth Day, take action and make a difference by reducing your food waste.
Article Originally published on 2023-04-20 19:31:46 UTC