Don’t Waste It! Join Us for Food Waste Prevention Week and Discover How to Save Money While Reducing Waste

Food Waste Prevention Week starts Monday, and it’s a great time to think about how much food we throw away. Did you know that in Wisconsin, wasted food is the largest part of our trash?

When food decomposes in landfills, it produces methane. This greenhouse gas is more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change. In 2020 alone, the average Wisconsinite discarded about 294 pounds of food. That adds up to over 854,000 pounds statewide, according to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

So, how can we cut down on food waste in our daily lives?

Understand Labels
First, food labels can be tricky. Many expiration dates just indicate peak quality, not safety. Except for baby formula, there’s no federal law regulating these dates. Trust your senses: look and sniff your food to see if it’s still okay to eat.

Shop Wisely
Next, shop with intention. It’s easy to buy more than we need, especially when we shop on an empty stomach. Before heading to the store, check what you already have and plan meals. This can help you avoid buying extra food that might go to waste.

Store Food Properly
Proper storage can also help extend the life of your food. For instance, freezing items before they spoil can give you more time to use them later.

Make Use of Scraps
Don’t forget about leftovers. Extra vegetable scraps and bones can be turned into delicious soup stock. Freezing stock can save space in your pantry and reduce grocery bills.

The Bigger Picture
A 2023 report found that about 30-40% of the U.S. food supply goes to waste each year. That’s nearly 133 billion pounds! Many people are starting to notice this issue more—social media trends show people sharing tips and tricks for minimizing waste. Popular hashtags like #FoodWasteChallenge encourage small changes that make a big difference.

Taking small steps, like understanding food labels, shopping mindfully, and using up scraps, can help each of us contribute to a bigger solution. Let’s work together to waste less and save our planet!

For more insights on food waste and sustainability, check out the EPA’s food recovery hierarchy.

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