Tried and true tips for lowering food waste

After way too many weeks in a row of having to throw spoiled food out, I really tried to focus on lowering our food waste. It took a lot of trial and error, but I ended up with several tips and tricks that have really helped us in this area. Not only are we being less wasteful, but we are simultaneously saving money too. These tips do require a little more effort and intentionality, but they are worth it to be less wasteful! Here are my top six tips to try if you’re looking to lower food waste too:

Keep a list of all the food you throw out each month:

I started doing this in 2021 and let me tell you…it’s eye opening! It is one thing to toss food in the garbage every so often- but writing it down with the cost really puts it into perspective. My goal is eventually to get to the point where we aren’t tossing anything, so each month I hope that this list will get shorter and shorter.

Organize your refrigerator

Organized refrigerators aren’t just for the gram- they are actually very helpful in preventing food waste! I always a huge difference in how much food we throw out when our fridge is a mess-food just gets lost and forgotten and ends up going bad. Grab some food storage containers, mason jars and bins from the Dollar Tree and you can make a big difference!

Implement a “use first” bin

Anything that needs to be used up soon (leftovers, produce, items nearing expiration, etc) go in this bin. Our family knows to look in this bin first for a snack or when making a meal, so these foods get eaten instead of being lost in the fridge to die 😉 All of last year I used an inexpensive white dishpan from Dollar Tree. But since this idea was effective for us, I will be switching to a clear acrylic bin this year so it’s even easier to see its contents!

Meal plan based on what you need to use up

I made the switch to meal planning like this a few years ago and let me tell you- it has been a game changer! You start by writing down all the food in your fridge, freezer and pantry that needs to be used up soon. Then find recipes incorporating as many of those foods as possible! This keeps your grocery list very minimal and prevents food waste…a win-win! You can read more about this process and get your free printable here.

Prep your produce

This one is kind of a pain- but cutting up and preparing your produce in advance will greatly increase the chances of you eating it-which means less wasted food and money. I like to wash fruits and veggies and cut them up if needed. Pro tip: celery and carrots stay fresh for a long time if submerged in fresh water! Just remember to change it every few days.

Utilize your freezer!

Anytime I notice food that looks like it’s on its last leg- I google how to freeze it. Turns out you can freeze just about anything! Most frequently I freeze produce to use in smoothies, left overs from dinner, or baked goods like muffins or pancakes to quickly reheat! Pictured below are smoothie kits- just add liquid and protein powder and blend!