Wasted Food — How Rude!

By Willa Dicostanzo, Waste Diversion Coordinator, City of Lincoln

Wasted food is a problem. In America, 40% of the food is wasted; yet, 1 in 8 Americans struggle to put food on the table. It takes a lot of resources and energy to make, transport, deliver, and consume the food we eat. Wasted food also wastes your hard-earned money. The average family of four spends about $1,500 on food each year that ends up being uneaten.

Does this happen in your home?

Log what you throw-out for a week and see if you have any wasted food. Follow these helpful tips to reduce the waste you produce:

• Think before you shop; write a list, set a budget, and stick to what you need.

• Organize your fridge and freezer and check the temperature to make sure they are cooling properly.

• Make an “eat me first” shelf and keep foods close to spoiling in front so they aren’t pushed back and forgotten. 

• Eat your leftovers.

How Can You Keep Food Fresh?

• The door is the warmest part of the fridge. Don’t store things that are quick to spoil such as milk and eggs.

• The lowest shelves in the fridge are the coldest. Store things such as meat, chicken, and fish there.

• Refrigerate peeled or cut vegetables.

• The freezer is your friend; it’s a great place to store foods and retain quality until you eat them.

• Fruit goes bad quicker if kept at room temperature. Keep your fruit bowl in the refrigerator.

• Little fruits such as berries, cherries, and grapes should not be washed until right before you eat them. This helps prevent mold from growing. When you do wash them, use water and vinegar to help remove bacteria.

Get Date Label Savvy!

Best If Used By / Before

Indicates when a product will be of best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.

Use By

is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. It is not a safety date except for when used on infant formula.

Display Until / Sell By

tells the store how long to display the product for sale for inventory management. It is not a safety date.

Freeze By

is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality.