reknowable_resources A little food waste quickly becomes a big problem when you add up the waste from multiple dishes, servings, and meals. Fortunately, there are as many strategies to minimize food waste as ways to create it.

Everyone can prevent food waste at the source through intentional planning and purchasing. Make a shopping list, plan out your meal schedule to use perishable ingredients before they spoil, and cook recipes that share ingredients to use everything you buy.

If you buy too much or plans change at the last minute, consider donating the excess to someone in need. Nonperishables can be donated to food banks and pantries, and fresh produce can go to local community fridges.

If you still have leftovers, look for ways to upcycle them—transform them into something new. You can upcycle extra-ripe fruit into desserts, stale bread into breadcrumbs, herbs into flavored oils, and more! Lastly, resist the temptation to throw food waste in the trash or down the drain. Instead, look for composting opportunities to return all those nutrients to the environment!