All products featured on Self are independently selected by our editors.
However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
Its an unfortunate truth, but a good portion of ourgroceriesend up in the garbage.
SKC/Stocksy/Adobe Stock
Thats why taking the time to understand ways to reduce food waste is so important.
But all those little bits can add up to a lot of extra waste.
Environmental Protection Agency says.
But its alsohappening in our homes.
And there are plenty of ways to reduce food waste.
Added bonus: Theyre all easy enough to start ASAP.
Stick to a shopping listand fill it with versatile ingredients.
Thats not to say you have toplan outevery single thing youll cook or eat.
Having some go-to meals that are vehicles for those random veggies helps to ensure that they all get used.
There are some instances where fresh produce really is best.
(Frozen strawberries will turn mushy in a fruit salad, for instance.)
But often frozen fruits and veggies work just as well for things likesmoothies, stir-fries, andsoups.
Store your food so it stays fresh for as long as possible.
Part of that is about getting savvy on the best way to store different ingredients.
(The NRDCs interactivefood-storage guideis a great place to start.)
And did you know thatapplescan stay fresh up to 10 times longer (as long as six weeks!)
when you keep them in the fridge instead of on the counter?
But its also about being real about your eating habits.
Whatever action will keep the food from being wasted is the move for you.
Eat older food first.
Doing a quick regular sweep can help.
But if every day seems too overwhelming, once or twice a week will make a difference too.
Share what you cant use.
Hey, life happens sometimes!
But that still doesnt mean the food has to end up trashed.
Just share it with someone else, ideally in a no-contact way if its someone outside of your household.
Ive used it before going on vacation.
Get creative with what youve got.
It can be as easy as playing ingredient musical chairs to prioritize stuff that you should use ASAP.
But thats just the beginning.
Dont automatically throw food away based on expiration dates.
Confusion over those little date stamps is responsible for 20% of consumer food waste, theFDA says.
(The one exception is infant formula, FYI.
Its best to follow those expiration dates strictly.)
In other words, youre better off going with your gut than living by the date stamp.
(These tips can also help you determine whether your food has gone bad.)
Buy produce that doesnt look perfect.
Scan the carrots or berries for the weird-looking bunch or container and toss it into your cart.
Some willpossibly at a discounted price,the FDA notes.
