Food waste is a huge problem in the United States, but there are easy ways to reduce the amount of food you waste each week.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American family of four wastes almost $1,600 worth of food each year. That’s a lot of money and a lot of wasted resources. Natural resources are used to produce, package, and transport our food, so when we throw food away, we’re also wasting all of the water, energy, and labor that went into growing it. Plus, when food rots in landfills, it emits methane, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
The good news is that there are easy ways to reduce food waste, and save money in the process. Here are two tips to get you started:
1. Shop your pantry and fridge before going to the store
You’ve probably heard the saying, “Waste not, want not.” Shopping your pantry and fridge before going to the grocery store is a great way to reduce food waste. Take inventory of what you have on hand, and make a list of meals you can make using those ingredients. Not only will this help you save money, but it will also help you avoid buying things you don’t need.
2. Store food properly
One of the biggest culprits of food waste is improper storage. When fruits and vegetables are stored at the wrong temperature, they spoil quickly. So, make sure to store them in the fridge in a crisper drawer or in a plastic bag with holes punched in it. If you have leftover cooked food, store it in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. And, always check the expiration dates on packaged food before you buy it, so you know how long you have to use it.
By following these simple tips, you can easily reduce your food waste this week – and save money in the process.
Common Questions Roundup:
1. What are two easy ways to reduce food waste?
2. What is the average American family of four’s food waste worth each year?
3. What natural resources are used to produce food?
4. When food rots in landfills, what does it emit?
5. What is a saying that can help reduce food waste?
6. What is the best way to store fruits and vegetables?
7. What is the best way to store leftover cooked food?
8. When buying packaged food, what should you check?
9. How much money can you save by reducing food waste?
10. How quickly can you reduce food waste?
Answers to common questions:
1. Two easy ways to reduce food waste are to plan your meals and to shop your pantry first.
2. The average American family of four’s food waste is worth $1,500 a year.
3. Natural resources used to produce food include land, water, air, and sunlight.
4. When food rots in landfills, it emits methane, a greenhouse gas.
5. A saying that can help reduce food waste is “waste not, want not.”
6. The best way to store fruits and vegetables is in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.
7. The best way to store leftover cooked food is in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
8. When buying packaged food, you should check the expiration date.
9. You can save $600 a year by reducing food waste.
10. You can reduce food waste quickly by planning your meals, shopping your pantry first, and storing food properly.
Tl;dr
The average American family of four wastes almost $1,600 worth of food each year. There are easy ways to reduce food waste, including shopping your pantry and fridge before going to the store, and storing food properly.