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With the economy still in bad shape, people are trying to keep an eye on their wallets to make sure they can afford all they need. But with portion sizes growing larger each year, it’s becoming easier for Americans to throw away unfinished plates of food and, in the process, waste their money.
A new report by the Natural Resources Defense Council has just revealed exactly how much food Americans are wasting today in a new study, and the results are shocking. Not only is the amount of food being left uneaten rising, but it’s happening during a time when 18 percent of American families claim they cannot afford to buy enough food.
Their reports show that Americans are wasting about $2,275 per year by throwing out 40% of food. This equates to the average American wasting around 20 pounds of food each month. The NRDC state that, “Americans are throwing out the equivalent of $165 billion each year, but also 25 percent of all freshwater and huge amounts of unnecessary chemicals, energy, and land” (NRDC).
So what can you do to cut down on the amount of money and food you waste? Here are some tips that will help you save money so you can afford other necessities:
Buy Air-Tight Containers – While it is important to take into consideration portion size for the amount of people you are cooking for, there is nothing wrong with making leftovers. If you buy air-tight containers you can store leftovers for another time. This way, you’re not wasting money or food, and you have an easy-to-prepare meal. Just remember to check if the container says it’s safe to put in the microwave or not.
Buy in Bulk with Caution – Even though it may look like a deal that you can buy more food for less money, you may actually be wasting money because you are buying more than you will be able to eat in time. Check the expiration dates before you purchase the food and think about whether or not you will be able to finish it all before it goes bad.
Prepare Before You Shop – Making a grocery list keeps you from buying more than you need, and therefore, will help you save money and prevent food from going to waste. Continue to tweak the list each time and stop buying food products that never seem to be eaten.
It’s important to keep in mind that food is no different than anything else you buy. You should only buy what you know you need or will use.
Do you have any special ways you try to preserve food? Comment and let us know!
