Have you ever found a container at the back of the fridge that looked like a science project? Or that condiment that you couldn’t remember when it was opened? Ewwwww. Food waste.
Spoiled food and questionable stuff that gets tossed out is a real waste of money, isn’t it? And with the costs of food – and everything – going up, who has money to throw away? Not US!!!!
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4 easy steps to end food waste right in your own home
1. Date it
To keep track of how old stuff is – when you open up any jar, bottle or package of food, mark the date on it! I keep a roll of masking tape or painter’s tape and a Sharpie marker in the kitchen specifically for this purpose. A paper clip or plastic bread bag closure makes it easier to find the end of the tape.
- For bottles and jars, write the date right on the lid.
- For plastic containers, rip off a piece of masking tape and write the date on that, then stick it to the top of the container. Sometimes, I write the date directly on the lid with the marker, which comes off with a little bit of scrubbing with Brillo.
I also do this for plastic containers of prepared food, freezer bags of blanched vegetables and packages of meat that go into the freezer. Just look at the date to determine which has been in there the longest, and use those first.
2. Keep it clean
Every week I wipe down each shelf of the fridge with warm, soapy water. Keeping the fridge clean is essential to preventing food spoilage and the growth of harmful bacteria like e coli.
With regular cleaning and wiping up fresh spills and leaks, you can ensure that your food stays fresh and safe to eat. Doing so not only prevents food waste, but also helps you save money because you won’t have to spend money replacing stuff that has gone bad.
I take this one step farther, and have been doing this long before the COVID-19 pandemic started. When I come home from grocery shopping, I wipe down each item with a sponge and warm, soapy water before it goes into the fridge or freezer.
Who knows where that stuff has been, what the warehouse looks like, or how it was handled, right? I always imaging rats and mice running over the tops of the pallets of cans that are stacked in the warehouses. Yeah, I know. I’m weird. But it could happen!!!
3. Rotation
When cleaning the fridge, I check the expiration and best by dates on opened and unopened items, go through the produce drawer, and move older stuff toward the front of the shelves to make sure I use that first. This is also a good time to take a quick inventory, and add what I need to my shopping list.
4. Freeze it
Another way to cut down on waste is to freeze food right away if you have a little too much of something. When I make a big pot of soup for instance, I know that I won’t eat all of it within the next few days. I will save a little in the fridge, and put the rest in small containers that hold about 2 servings each, then stack them in the freezer. Finding small, easily thawed containers of already-cooked food is a real bonus when I have a busy week and don’t have time to cook.
By following these four simple steps, you can make a big impact on your wallet and the environment. Not only will you be saving money, but you’ll also be doing your part to reduce food waste and to create a more sustainable future.
So, start implementing these tips today and enjoy the benefits of a more efficient and eco-friendly kitchen.
Once you get in the habit of doing this, you are going to find that you will be tossing out a lot less stuff and be well on your way to ending food waste!
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