On January 23, the Global Impact Collective hosted our third Community Event; this one focused on preventing food waste. If you didn’t make it, you can still benefit from our panelist’s insights and resources shared that evening.
Special thanks to Emily Hovis (Washington State Retail Food Safety Advisory Council, the Association of Food and Drug Officials Food Recovery Committee), Leslie Mackie (Macrina Bakery), and Naomi Logan (Shelf Engine) for their engaged discussion about food waste.
Here are ten things you can do to prevent food waste at home:
Plan Meals and Shop Smart
Make a meal plan for the week, create a shopping list, and stick to it. Avoid impulse buys that may go to waste.
Store Food Properly
Learn how to store fruits, vegetables, and other perishables correctly to extend their shelf life (e.g., refrigerate leafy greens, keep potatoes and onions in a cool, dark place).
Understand Food Labels
Don’t confuse "best by," "sell by," and "use by" dates—they’re not always indicators of safety but rather quality. Use your senses to judge if food is still good.
Use Leftovers Creatively
Transform leftovers into new meals, such as soups, casseroles, or stir-fries.
Freeze extras if you can’t eat them soon.
Create a “soup stock” bag in your freezer and add almost any herbs and veggie scraps to the bag and toss them into the pot the next time you need a quick veggie stock.
Practice Portion Control
Cook and serve only what you’ll realistically eat. Use smaller plates to avoid over-serving.
Embrace "Ugly" Produce
Buy less-than-perfect fruits and vegetables—they taste just as good and are often sold at a discount.
Preserve Excess Food
Learn basic preservation techniques like freezing, pickling, fermenting, or canning to save seasonal or surplus food.
Compost Food Scraps
Start a compost bin to recycle food waste into nutrient-rich soil instead of sending it to the landfill.
Share Excess Food
If you have too much food, share it with friends, neighbors, or donate to local food banks or community fridges.
Support Food Waste Prevention Initiatives
Support businesses and organizations that prioritize food waste reduction, such as buying from stores that sell surplus or imperfect produce.
Sources & Resources
Government Guidance
Other Tips
Food Waste Prevention Organizations
ReFed: A U.S.-based nonprofit working to catalyze the food system toward evidence-based action to stop wasting food.
Feeding America: Food Rescue: Details efforts to fight food waste and hunger through food rescue programs, including how individuals can get involved.
Stop Food Waste: Offers tools and resources to help consumers reduce food waste at home, including storage tips and meal planning advice.
If you didn’t make it to this Community Event, we hope to see you at our next gathering on May 15th and future events!