Introduction to Food Waste
Wasted food is a financial and environmental bummer. It costs U.S. consumers $728 every year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, and emits the annual equivalent planet-warming greenhouse gases of 42 coal-fired power plants.
Carleigh Bodrug, a cookbook author who emphasizes cooking with plants and low-waste recipes, said she was surprised to learn that homes, rather than restaurants and grocery stores, account for the largest share of food that goes in the garbage — about 35% in 2023, according to ReFed, a nonprofit that seeks to reduce food waste.
Causes of Food Waste
The environmental impact is compounded because the food goes in the trash only after a long journey in which it’s grown, treated, packed, shipped, prepared and stored. Bodrug said, “And it’s just because we’re so busy, we’re not utilizing the food that we actually buy.” The good news is that cutting waste is good both for the planet and for every household’s bottom line.
Start before you go to the store
Bodrug wasn’t always keen on reducing food waste. She recalls going to the grocery store each week, buying a bag of oats and then discovering when she got home that she already had three half-eaten bags in the pantry. When she learned about the “huge issue” of the waste nationally, she said, she wanted to do something about it. Her first solution: Make a list. Write down the plan for the week, then check the fridge and the pantry to see what’s already there before heading to the store.
Store that food properly
If your food lasts longer in the fridge, it’s got a better shot at getting eaten. Bodrug said leafy greens stored with a paper towel or cloth that absorbs moisture will stay dry and wilt less quickly. Herbs and things with stems can be set in a jar of water, like a bouquet, to stay fresh longer. Kaye’s solution is to use the freezer liberally — and then commit to emptying it.
If you think that’s waste, think again
Kaye said people likely throw away even more food than gets counted. That’s because things like the stalks, stems and ribs of a lot of produce “are perfectly edible,” he said. When he’s cooking with parsley and cilantro, he chops up the stems and throws them in, too. Same for carrot greens in pesto, radish tops in salad, and broccoli stalks in stir fry. Bodrug chops up her kale stems like green onions and doesn’t peel her carrots and potatoes.
Recipes that make for less waste — or none at all
Kaye has four go-to dishes when he’s trying to use up food in his fridge before it goes bad: frittata, stir fry, smoothie and pesto. Pesto doesn’t have to be made from basil, he said — after all, it comes from the Italian word meaning to crush or pound. Blenders are also great for lumpy fruit and wilting greens, Kaye said, because those can get blended up into smoothies. He said frittata is a great savory catch-all because all it takes is food scraps and eggs.
Finally, eat at home more
Of course, lives get busy, and sometimes the bag of spinach bought with good intentions wilts in the back of the fridge. Chef Dan Barber, who experimented with serving food that would have otherwise been thrown away at a pop-up restaurant called WastED, said wasting less food requires getting excited about cooking. “Not reheating, not ordering out for someone else to cook for you, but actually engaging with a stove and a knife,” said Barber, who also co-owns a pair of restaurants called Family Meal at Blue Hill and Blue Hill at Stone Barns in New York.
Conclusion
The financial and environmental costs of food waste are significant, but there are many ways to reduce waste and make a positive impact. By planning meals, storing food properly, using up scraps, and cooking at home, individuals can make a difference. Every small change can add up to make a big impact, and it’s up to each of us to take action and reduce food waste.
FAQs
Q: How much does food waste cost U.S. consumers each year?
A: Food waste costs U.S. consumers $728 every year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Q: What is the environmental impact of food waste?
A: Food waste emits the annual equivalent planet-warming greenhouse gases of 42 coal-fired power plants.
Q: What can individuals do to reduce food waste?
A: Individuals can plan meals, store food properly, use up scraps, and cook at home to reduce food waste.
Q: What are some recipes that can help reduce food waste?
A: Recipes like frittata, stir fry, smoothie, and pesto can help use up food scraps and reduce waste.
Q: Why is it important to reduce food waste?
A: Reducing food waste can help reduce the financial and environmental costs associated with food production, transportation, and disposal.
