By Morgan Euzarraga
Dietetic Intern, Cedar Crest College
Food waste, defined as food that is lost, discarded or uneaten, is gaining notoriety as a serious environmental, social and economic problem in the United States. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, food waste is the single largest occupant of U.S. landfills.
American consumerism is largely to blame for this crisis — the average individual discard is approximately 300 pounds of food annually. Many of us are guilty of wasting food as a result of improper food storage, poor planning and misguided shopping habits. Fortunately, most food waste is avoidable. A few small changes in the home can greatly reduce the financial and environmental burdens of food waste.
One personal benefit of reducing individual food waste is saving money. A two-person household can save an estimated $63 each month by making good use of the food they buy through good storage practices and meal planning. Proper storage can be as simple as knowing which foods need to be in the fridge and which ones can be left on the counter. When we take the time to prep and store foods correctly, we increase their shelf life. For information on food storage, visit makedirtnotwaste.org.
Another way we waste food at home is by throwing it out prematurely before it spoils. Food product dating does not necessarily correspond with food safety. Rather, food product dates are an indicator of food quality. This means food may still be safe past the posted date. This is particularly true for nonperishable food items. However, when in doubt throw it out.
Something that we can do before food even reaches our homes is to avoid buying too much at the store. There are many reasons why we may buy too much at the grocery store. If we are hungry while shopping, we are more likely to buy more food than we need. We may also not have much of a plan for meals during the week. Without a plan, we are more likely to forget some things and buy more than we need of others. Scheduling meals for the week and writing a list may take extra time, but overall it saves money and eliminates waste.
Finally, avoid preparing more food than can be consumed. If you are someone who does not like leftovers, cook just enough for you and whomever else is joining you for a meal. And, if you are someone that enjoys leftovers, make sure you are realistic about how much you plan to eat and how long the item can be stored.
Food waste is a complex problem we must work continuously to solve. Individual efforts can go a long way in supporting the national goal to reduce food waste. For information on this campaign, visit www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/food-too-good-waste-implementation-guide-and-toolkit
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
