If you’re throwing away food more than you’re eating it, your home might be a food waste factory.
If you’re like most Americans, you love food. You also hate wasting money. Unfortunately, the two often go hand-in-hand. The average American family throws away $1,500 worth of food every year, and much of that is due to poor food storage practices. If you’re guilty of any of the following, your home is likely a food waste factory.
1. Your fridge is full of moldy leftovers.
We’ve all been there. You make a big batch of spaghetti and meatballs and only eat half. The rest goes into the fridge for leftovers, but a few days later, it’s a green, slimy mess. If your fridge is full of moldy leftovers, it’s time to change your ways.
First, invest in some airtight storage containers. This will help keep your food fresher, longer. Second, get into the habit of eating your leftovers within a few days. If you know you won’t eat them, donate them to a local food bank or soup kitchen.
2. You let your produce go bad.
You’re at the grocery store and spot the perfect ripe avocado. You buy it, but then it sits on your counter for a few days until it’s overripe and mushy. Sound familiar?
It’s estimated that we throw away 20 pounds of produce each year. That’s a lot of wasted food! To avoid letting your produce go bad, make a list of what you need before you go grocery shopping. Then, when you get home, put your fruits and veggies in the fridge. They’ll last longer and you’ll be more likely to eat them.
3. You don’t use your freezer.
Your freezer is one of the most powerful tools in your fight against food waste. But if you’re like most people, you probably don’t use it to its full potential.
One of the best things you can do is to freeze leftovers. Soups, stews, and casseroles freeze well and can be reheated for an easy meal later. You can also freeze fresh fruits and vegetables. This is a great way to extend their shelf life and enjoy them later in the year.
If you’re guilty of any of these food waste offenses, don’t worry. You can change your ways and start saving money and reducing waste. Your wallet and the environment will thank you!
Common Questions Roundup:
1. What is the average American family throwing away $1,500 worth of food every year due to?
2. How can investing in airtight storage containers help reduce food waste?
3. What is one of the best things you can do to reduce food waste?
4. How much produce does the average American throw away each year?
5. What is a great way to extend the shelf life of fresh fruits and vegetables?
6. How can changing your food storage practices help the environment?
7. What are some of the signs that your home is a food waste factory?
8. How can you reduce food waste in your home?
9. What are some of the benefits of reducing food waste?
10. What are some of the best ways to reduce food waste?
Answers to common questions:
1. The average American family is throwing away $1,500 worth of food each year due to poor food storage practices.
2. Investing in airtight storage containers can help reduce food waste by keeping food fresh for longer.
3. One of the best things you can do to reduce food waste is to plan your meals and only buy what you need.
4. The average American throws away approximately $640 worth of produce each year.
5. A great way to extend the shelf life of fresh fruits and vegetables is to store them in the fridge.
6. Changing your food storage practices can help the environment by reducing the amount of food that goes to waste.
7. Some of the signs that your home is a food waste factory are if you often find expired food in your fridge or if you have a lot of uneaten food in your pantry.
8. You can reduce food waste in your home by being mindful of what you buy, using airtight storage containers, and composting.
9. Some of the benefits of reducing food waste are that you can save money, help the environment, and reduce your carbon footprint.
10. Some of the best ways to reduce food waste are to plan your meals, use airtight storage containers, and compost.
Tl;dr
The average American family throws away $1,500 worth of food every year due to poor food storage practices. To avoid wasting food, invest in airtight storage containers, eat leftovers within a few days, and use your freezer to extend the shelf life of produce.