12 Ingenious Tips to Reduce Food Waste and Save Money

Globally, about one-third of all food produced is wasted. This is not only a massive environmental problem but also a huge drain on our finances. Reducing food waste is easier than you think. It just takes a little planning and a few new habits.

Planning and Shopping

1. Meal Plan: Before you shop, plan your meals for the week. This is the single most effective way to ensure you only buy what you need.
2. Shop with a List: Stick to your meal plan and your shopping list. Avoid impulse buys.
3. "Shop" Your Fridge First: Before you go to the store, see what you already have that needs to be used up.
4. Buy "Ugly" Produce: Imperfect fruits and vegetables are just as nutritious but are often overlooked. Buying them helps reduce farm-level food waste.

Storage and Organization

5. Understand Dates: "Best by" and "sell by" dates are about quality, not safety. "Use by" is the one to pay attention to. Trust your senses.
6. FIFO: First In, First Out. Organize your fridge and pantry so that older items are at the front, ensuring you use them first.
7. Store Food Properly: Learn how to store different types of produce. For example, store herbs in a jar of water like flowers, and don’t store potatoes and onions together.
8. Use Your Freezer: The freezer is your best friend. Freeze leftovers, bread, and produce that’s about to go bad.

Cooking and Repurposing

9. Use the Whole Vegetable: Use broccoli stems in stir-fries, carrot tops to make pesto, and vegetable scraps to make a flavorful broth.
10. Love Your Leftovers: Pack them for lunch the next day or have a dedicated "leftover night" for dinner.
11. "Eat Me First" Bin: Create a designated spot in your fridge for items that need to be eaten soon.
12. Compost the Rest: For any scraps that are left, composting is the most environmentally friendly way to dispose of them.