{"id":12405,"date":"2023-08-28T18:17:08","date_gmt":"2023-08-28T22:17:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/?p=12405"},"modified":"2023-09-04T20:47:43","modified_gmt":"2023-09-05T00:47:43","slug":"reducing-food-waste-at-home-tips-for-a-more-sustainable-kitchen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/reducing-food-waste-at-home-tips-for-a-more-sustainable-kitchen\/","title":{"rendered":"Reducing Food Waste at Home: Tips for a More  Sustainable Kitchen"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Written by: Liam Statham<\/p>\n<p>Edited by: Khadija Aleem<\/p>\n<p>Designed by: Ayesha<\/p>\n<p>Published by: Kiritika Rana<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Canada has a serious problem with food waste. Nearly 60% of all food produced in Canada is lost or wasted each <img loading=\"lazy\" class=\" wp-image-12406 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/unnamed-13-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"176\" height=\"117\" srcset=\"https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/unnamed-13-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/unnamed-13-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/unnamed-13-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/unnamed-13-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/unnamed-13-1080x720.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/unnamed-13.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 176px) 100vw, 176px\" \/>year, with a third of this waste being edible food that could be sent to communities across the country. With numbers like these, it is clear that we need to start implementing strategies to combat this immense food waste. Here are some that you can use!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Strategies<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><b> <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plan Ahead<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take stock of your pantry and refrigerator before you go grocery shopping to prevent overbuying.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plan your meals for the week. Try to find foods that would work in multiple of these meals, so you are not using completely different ingredients for each recipe.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make a grocery list based on this meal plan .<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li><b> <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shop Smart<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be mindful of expiration dates.<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\" wp-image-12407 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/unnamed-14-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"264\" height=\"176\" srcset=\"https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/unnamed-14-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/unnamed-14-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/unnamed-14-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/unnamed-14-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/unnamed-14-1080x720.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/unnamed-14.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 264px) 100vw, 264px\" \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Try to buy local food.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Opt for the \u201cugly\u201d produce.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li><b> <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Storing Food Appropriately<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Refrigerate or freeze perishables right away. Don\u2019t let them sit at room temperature for more than two hours!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Store potatoes and onions in a cool, dark place.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most other raw vegetables can be kept on the counter, along with some fruit like bananas and apples.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol start=\"4\">\n<li><b> <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Leftovers<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure to store your leftovers safely. If you think you\u2019ll eat it within three days, it is best to put it in the fridge. If not, it is generally better to label it and store it in the freezer. Keep your freezer organized, so you don\u2019t have to throw out food due to freezer burn!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find creative ways to use food. Vegetable scraps can be made into soup stock. Even stale bread can be used for croutons. There is almost always another use for your food!<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol start=\"5\">\n<li><b> <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ensure to Compost!<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Backyard composting is a great way to\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0reduce food waste and nourish your garden<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\" wp-image-12408 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/unnamed-15-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"366\" height=\"244\" srcset=\"https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/unnamed-15-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/unnamed-15-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/unnamed-15-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/unnamed-15-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/unnamed-15-1080x720.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/unnamed-15.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 366px) 100vw, 366px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The easiest method of backyard composting\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Is to just bury your food waste in the ground!<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your city or town has a green bin program, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 you can also utilize that to minimize your\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 waste.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a world struggling with food waste, it&#8217;s important that we do our part. Each step we can take in our kitchens can ripple into a larger movement, contributing to a more eco-friendly future. Let&#8217;s ensure that our actions today pave the way for a better tomorrow\u2014one stale bread crouton or full compost bin at a time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Works Cited<\/b><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Roebuck, A. (n.d.). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to make compost from kitchen waste (the easy way)<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Help Me Compost.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/helpmecompost.com\/home-composting\/implementation\/how-to-make-compost-from-kitchen-waste\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/helpmecompost.com\/home-composting\/implementation\/how-to-make-compost-from-kitchen-waste\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Romi Londre, R. (2023, February 24). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7 ways to reduce food waste<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Mayo Clinic Health System.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org\/hometown-health\/speaking-of-health\/7-ways-to-reduce-food-waste-in-your-kitchen\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org\/hometown-health\/speaking-of-health\/7-ways-to-reduce-food-waste-in-your-kitchen<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FDA. (2023, January 18). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are you storing food safely?<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/consumers\/consumer-updates\/are-you-storing-food-safely\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/consumers\/consumer-updates\/are-you-storing-food-safely<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to create a sustainable kitchen: Expert tips: Caesarstone<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Caesarstone Canada. (2023, March 30).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.caesarstone.ca\/blog\/how-to-create-a-sustainable-kitchen\/#:~:text=Reduce%20food%20waste&amp;text=Before%20cooking%2C%20take%20inventory%20of,help%20avoid%20buying%20unnecessary%20items.&amp;text=Shopping%20smart%3A%20When%20grocery%20shopping,to%20get%20the%20most%20benefit\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.caesarstone.ca\/blog\/how-to-create-a-sustainable-kitchen\/#:~:text=Reduce%20food%20waste&amp;text=Before%20cooking%2C%20take%20inventory%20of,help%20avoid%20buying%20unnecessary%20items.&amp;text=Shopping%20smart%3A%20When%20grocery%20shopping,to%20get%20the%20most%20benefit<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Janus, A. (2019, January 17). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More than half of all food produced in Canada is lost or wasted, report says | CBC News<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. CBCnews.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/news\/canada\/toronto\/food-waste-report-second-harvest-1.4981728\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/news\/canada\/toronto\/food-waste-report-second-harvest-1.4981728<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Images<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jas Min on Unsplash<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Markus Spiske on Unsplash<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Neslihan Gunadyin on Unsplash<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Written by: Liam Statham Edited by: Khadija Aleem Designed by: Ayesha Published by: Kiritika Rana &nbsp; Canada has a serious problem with food waste. Nearly 60% of all food produced in Canada is lost or wasted each year, with a third of this waste being edible food that could be sent to communities across the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12410,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_mi_skip_tracking":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12405"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12405"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12405\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12411,"href":"https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12405\/revisions\/12411"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12410"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12405"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12405"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12405"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}