Wasting food is one of the biggest problems in every household. According to the research, 30% to 40% of food is wasted annually in the U.S., costing over $150 billion.

From uneaten leftovers to spoiled vegetables and fruits, food is well-spent at every other house. Food wastage occurs at every step of the food production chain, including spoilage from moulds, bacteria, and insects.

However, you can play your part in the national food waste reduction goal and reduce the 50% food wastage by 2030.  

We live in a world where food is not accessible to everyone. While we waste food, millions of people go hungry. By cutting down on food waste, we respect the food as it deserves.

That's why we gathered ten tips and tricks for reducing food waste.

1. Grocery Shopping

Overbuying is one of the first steps toward producing spoiled food at the end of the month. To prevent that, there is a list of things you can adopt and take first to reduce food wastage.

Make a Checklist

You wish to buy something other than things already in your house. Write down the names and quantities of items left in your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer so you don't overbuy.

Take a Shopping List

One way to avoid overbuying is to make a shopping list before leaving. Note down everything you need and shop from that list. It is best if you mention the quantity as well. It will save you time and food, too.

Set a Meal Plan

Planning out a few meals for the week or two is recommended. By doing this, it will be easy to make a grocery list. Plan your meal so the same ingredients can be used in that week's meal plan.

There would be no leftover vegetables or fruit spoiling in the corner of your fridge at the end of the week.

Choose Ugly Foods & Vegetables

You can prevent food waste at home and the grocery store. Do not let their appearance change your mind. They are not rotten or unhealthy. They are just labelled "ugly" because of their non-cosmetic standards.

However, the taste and nutrients are the same as the prettier ones. Use these fruits to make shakes and smoothies.

2. Proper Storage

Storing leftovers is one of the oldest ways to prevent food waste. Proper storage is essential to protect fresh groceries and dinner leftovers. A few steps can ensure the safety of edible items in your kitchen.

Check Your Fridge Temperature

Your fridge must be set to 40°F or lower to ensure food safety. Warmer items, such as milk, go spoiled more quickly. However, the freezer should be at 0°F.

Use Your Fridge Wisely

There are different types of food items, and each requires a different storage process. To overcome this situation, you can use the internet or specific applications, such as the FoodKeeper App, to learn how to store certain foods safely; this will undoubtedly maintain the freshness and quality of food upon later use.

Not all foods must be kept in the fridge. Several items, including bread and beans, can be kept in a cool, dark place without requiring the fridge temperature.

Moreover, organizing your fridge whenever you return from the grocery store is advised. Move the older products to the front for use first, and set the newer ones at the back.

Use Your Freezer

Are there any leftovers from the dinner? Yes, and you are not planning to eat them right away. Store them right away in your freezer. That’s what freezers are for.

If food is not to be used immediately, freeze it and eat it later. Use the internet and specific applications to see how long certain items remain frozen without going bad.

3. Donate the Extra Food

After organizing everything, if you realize there is more food in the kitchen than you need, consider donating it. Many food pantries and drives accept donated foods and give them to needy people. Someone should eat the food before the dustbin does.

4. Cooking

As you have already decided on what to make for the week straight and bought the ingredients accordingly, now all you have to do is cook. However, the fantastic thing is that you can also prevent food wastage at this step.

Use Recipes With Substitutes

Many people follow recipes strictly; making the dish, as you have seen, is fun. But for everyday cooking, you can change the recipe as you want.

While strictly following the recipes, some ingredients you will never use again will spend the rest of their days spoiling in the back of your fridge. That's where you can find a substitution for that ingredient, saving the flavour and the food.

For example, mozzarella can be used instead of ricotta, parsley can be substituted for basil, and carrots can be substituted for sweet potato.

Conclusion

Food wastage is a rising problem of the 21st century, increasing daily. It is not only disrespectful to the food, but it also harms the environment and Earth. To overcome this problem, we must get rid of it all.

Every human can play a significant role in reducing food waste and breaking the chain. For that purpose, this article covers the top tips and tricks to help you reduce food waste. By preventing food loss, you will give back something valuable to nature.