The science experiment lurking in the back of your refrigerator is identifiable only by Chinese food take-out cartons, that stalk of now-limp celery in the crisper, or the block of overaged cheese sporting a fine, green mold. All contribute to the 119 billion pounds of food waste per year in the U.S., with about 39 percent of said waste generated from our homes.
According to the hunger-relief program FeedingAmerica.org, this translates to 42 billion pounds of residential food waste. More than 34 million people continue to go hungry, while 40 percent of all food in the U.S.—a total of $408B worth—is tossed in the trash.
As Unitarian Universalists, we are deeply committed to social and environmental justice. Reducing food waste accomplishes both and may reap some surprising rewards.
As members of GEM, we have compiled a list of resources and tips to help with food waste reduction. A win for the Earth, a win for your fridge, and a win for our food bank allies.
- Plate it forward: Encourage guests to take home leftovers.
- Aim to freeze: That oven-fresh recipe that serves 12 in a household of just two would make for a great heat-and-eat meal a few weeks from now, while packing for vacation.
- Spoilage alert: To delay spoilage of refrigerated semi-liquid food, (i.e. spaghetti sauce, salsa, apple sauce, etc.) close the container as tightly as possible and then turn it upside down. The contents will move to the bottom and slow the entry of air into the container. Place the container in a small bowl to catch possible leakage.
- Recalculate your plate: That same oven-fresh recipe that serves 12 can be cut to size thanks to whisk.com, which provides a recipe converter that scales ingredients up or down.
- Innovate your plate: A fridge full of misfits could make a winner of a dinner, courtesy of oven.com. The Web site, also available as an app, will convert random ingredients into palatable fool-proof apportioned recipes.
- Get the most from compost: The salad’s been prepped, and the fruit basket has been carved— but you’re not done yet. Before fast-tracking those stems and peels to a landfill, let nature do her handiwork through backyard composting. This reduces greenhouse emissions, and the end product serves the Earth as a low-emissions fertilizer.
- Put it in the (food) bank: Feeding America is a network of food banks that assists the food insecure nationwide. Individual donations of untouched food go a long way in keeping families fed. Find a local food bank here: https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank
- For more tips:
- FoodSafety.gov provides food safety information .
- usda.gov/foodwaste/activities
Composting is a great way to turn plant-based food scraps into organic, low-emission fertilizer.