By Eva Hu
Did you know that while ⅛ of the American population, approximately 40 million people, suffers from hunger, up to 40 percent of the foods in the US are never eaten? In addition to this, sources estimate that 94 percent of the food we throw away end up in either landfills or combustion facilities. This accumulation of wasted food also generates a large amount of greenhouse gas and takes up land and resources, contributing to not only global warming but also reducing the resources used to produce more foods. However, there are small changes that we can make to create a big difference in the amount of food we throw away. Research shows that if we were to save approximately 15 percent of the food we throw away, we would be able to feed up to 25 million people each year. Listed below are some simple approaches you can adopt to help.
#1: Shopping Smartly
Prior to making a trip to your local grocery store, write up a list of foods you need to prevent you from buying more than you need and save money from buying more food than you need. Additionally, it is also imperative to be realistic about the amount of food you need. This means checking the refrigerator before shopping to avoid buying foods you already have enough of and buying the amount you need. If you live alone, you don’t need to buy enough milk for three people. Buying in bulk can only help you save money if the food has a long shelf life.
#2: Meal Planning and Prepping
Simply creating a weekly plan of the meals can not only help you save money and time, but also eat healthier. There is no definite way of meal prepping or planning. Some people choose to plan their meals for up to a month and others for up to a week, some choose to simply cut up the foods and vegetables and freeze them, and others prefer to cook an abundance of a dish and storing them in separate containers to consume later. Choosing a method that suits you the best can help you maintain this habit. By planning out your meals in advance, you will know what you need to buy and how much of it. It is important to know that when you plan a meal plan, you should also take into consideration which days you may want to eat out.
#3: Storing Foods Properly
If you know that you’re not going to be able to finish a certain food, freezing can preserve them and allow them to stay fresh for a longer period of time. These foods may include breads, fruits, and meats. Furthermore, storing foods separately can ensure they stay fresh or even extend their shelf life, and this is because of the plant hormone ethylene, released in the form of a gas. Though it is usually used to ripen fruits, it can also cause seeds and buds to sprout and leaves to droop. While certains foods produce a large amount of this compound, others are sensitive to it. Storing these foods separately can avoid these ethylene sensitive produces from spoiling. Below is a link that describes how to store produce properly: https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/food/how-to-store-produce
#4: Find Ways to Use Up ‘Leftovers’
Start by designating a meal to use leftovers from a previous meal rather than cooking an entirely new meal can help you save time as well. Other ways include trying to use every piece of the food you are cooking with. Did you know nearly 31 percent of Americans are at risk of at least one vitamin deficiency? Potatoes and cucumber skins and broccoli and kale stems are edible, often packed with many nutrients as well. Orange and lemon zest can be used to add extra flavor for marinades or desserts, but with that in mind. but don’t go around eating raw orange peels. Those berries that are going to go bad soon? Use them to make a smoothie. Vegetable scraps that you usually throw out? Use them to make homemade stocks for soups.
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