I'm a home organizer so I thought I had a neat and tidy kitchen. But when I started working to reduce food waste in my home, I was surprised how much it transformed my kitchen and pantry. Simple steps you take to be more sustainable can also help create a kitchen that is clutter free, easy to use and more functional-- think meal prep made quicker and easier. Sounds pretty good, eh?
Here are 7 simple ways I've learned to reduce food waste... and kitchen clutter.
Learn to be a scrappy cooker
Before you head out to the grocery store, shop your fridge and pantry for meals you can prepare from what you still have in your kitchen. You might be surprised at the delicious, nutritious dishes you create. You'll get rid of the cans and boxes cluttering up the back of the pantry. And you'll never suffer the smell of spoiled produce in the back of the crisper drawers again.
Meal planning is easier than you think
When I first heard "meal plan" my immediate thought was oh heck no! I do not want to spend my Sundays planning out meals for the next 7 days. But it's actually easier than you think. You write a shopping list anyway, right? If you do not, you should, I promise it will make your grocery shopping trip much quicker and more pleasant. Write your shopping list with specific meals in mind. Keep your recipe book by your side. When you practice meal planning, you buy just what you need. Fewer random items accumulate and clutter up the pantry and fridge.
Eat your leftovers
And share leftovers with neighbors and friends. Dying to make your favorite dish like your amazing veggie lasagna but you know you won't finish it all? Put half the pan in a plastic-free, reusable container and take it to your cute, single neighbor down the street. Oh, the possibilities! Got a spouse who won't like that idea? Maybe you have a friend or neighbor who helped you out in the past. Delicious leftovers are a great way to say thank you.
Follow the first in, first out rule
Consume food that's been in your fridge longer before you go right to what you see when you open the door. And that being said, when you put new groceries in the fridge, move some of the older items to the front. No more food spoiling in the back of the fridge. You'll be amazed how much more room you have in there.
Don't forget your freezer
Freezing leftovers is a great way to reduce food waste and have delicious, prepared meals ready in minutes when you're busy during the work week. Do a monthly freezer check to make sure you didn't forget anything.
Learn to compost food scraps
Here in Los Angeles we are now required to toss food scraps in the green bin. We also have composting and urban gardening workshops. Learn more about LA Sanitation & Environment resources HERE. If you're not in LA, look into local composting workshops in your area or do an internet search for how to compost at home.
Sign up for food delivery
Last but certainly not least, check online for all the wonderful companies that work to reduce food waste. You can get fresh produce delivered. I use Imperfect Foods. They provide sustainably sourced, affordable groceries (fresh produce, meat and cheese, pantry staples, snacks and so much more) and conveniently deliver them right to your door. Check out their website HERE. My secret little tip also -- I find when you shop for groceries online, you buy less and shop more intentionally. You're not shopping the aisles with your eyes grabbing everything that looks good. Less money spent. Less waste.
FACT: In the United States, 30-40% of our food supply is wasted. That amounts to over 130 billion pounds of wholesome food that could have fed families in need, but instead it ends up in landfills where it emits powerful methane gases that have an extremely negative effect on the environment. Also wasted are all the land, water, labor and energy resources used to produce, process, transport, prepare, store and dispose of the discarded food. Read more from the US Department of Agriculture HERE. Organizing our kitchens to reduce food waste is one great way we can help make positive change in the world.
About Kendall: My mission as a home organizer is to help families and communities take SMALL STEPS to organize and declutter at home in an eco-friendly way that starts to build BIG CHANGE in the world. Consider becoming an Official Declutter Buddy by joining my Email List. Click HERE to get in touch or fill out the Subscribe form below.
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