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How often do you end up with limp salad greens, more carrots than you can eat, and extra lemons that never get used? To finish this week’s focus on shopping, let's explore choices you can make in the grocery store to help you buy exactly the amount of food you need.
Deciding where to shop
Different stores and markets offer varying options for how you purchase food, so your ability to buy just the right amount of food may depend on where you shop.
Get familiar with what your grocery store offers for produce and bulk goods. There may be more options than you noticed.
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Buying only what you need is much easier when the produce isn’t pre-packaged. If your store only offers packaged produce, see if there is a store nearby where you can buy produce loose. When possible, buy only what you need to make the meals that are on your meal plan, especially when it comes to fresh food that can spoil easily.
Challenge participants say that vegetables are the number one item that goes to waste in their households. So, adjusting the amount you bring home in the first place could have a huge impact!
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 No, we don’t mean buying in large quantities like at Costco. The bulk section of a grocery store has self-serve food containers where you can take as much or as little as you need. Using the bulk section for things such as grains, beans, or spices can help you purchase just the amount you need and avoid waste.
Here’s how to buy things in bulk:
- Choose the item you want to purchase.
- Grab the provided bag or, if your store allows it, your own clean container. If you can use your own container, record the weight of the container when empty, before you fill it up.
- Fill your container or bag with the food.
- Write the product number, listed as PLU, for the item on the bag or on a sticker or twist tie label.
If you are interested in practicing smart shopping by buying only the amount you need, choose this action in the shopping category: Buy loose produce and shop the bulk bins.
Stop Food Waste Challenge partners are hosting several events throughout the challenge. Find a full list of events here.
Stop food waste with your freezer
Wednesday, August 16 from 6 to 7 p.m.
Mississippi Market Co-op, 1500 West 7th Street, Saint Paul
Join Madeline Summers for a demonstration on freezing different fruits, veggies, grains, and whole meals. Participants will learn how to use their freezer to stop food waste, save money, and set themselves up for easy, tasty meals.
Sample three recipes and walk away with how-to guides to use the information you learn at home! This class has a $5 fee (participants will receive a $5 off $25 coupon at the class!).
Register for the in-person demonstration.
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Stop food waste with your pressure cooker
Monday, August 21 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Hosted by Mississippi Market Co-op virtually on Zoom
Join Kirsten Madaus to learn tips and tricks for using your pressure cooker to reduce waste in your home and provide tasty meals for yourself and others. Explore how we can use leftovers in the fridge and a pressure cooker to make grain bowls. This recipe is flexible and highly customizable to use up the seasonal bounty. This class is free.
Register for the webinar.
Stop Food Waste Challenge tips
It’s never too late to encourage your team members or recruit more. Today, we're congratulating these teams with the highest membership. Keep it up!
- City of Brooklyn Park, 77 members
- Washington County employees, 76 members
- City of Bloomington Food Waste Busters, 41 members
- Hennepin County employees, 39 members
- Ramsey County residents, 17 members
Tare Market
Here’s what Stop Food Waste Challenge partner Tare Market had to say about why they care about preventing food waste:
"We love to help people on their sustainability journey, and fighting food waste is a big part in that. At Tare Market, we can help people learn how to purchase food from their bulk section, so that they are only buying what they need, and how to store food properly using some amazing tools we have in-store."
The Wedge, Twin Cities Co-op Partners
Here’s what Stop Food Waste Challenge partner The Wedge had to say about why they care about preventing food waste:
"We are concerned about the significant environmental impact of food waste, including greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water consumption. By participating as a partner, we can continue to actively contribute to reducing food waste and promoting sustainable practices.
Supporting initiatives like the Stop Food Waste Challenge aligns with our values and allows us to demonstrate our commitment to reducing waste and promoting sustainable development.
Being associated with a high-profile initiative like the Stop Food Waste Challenge can enhance our reputation and brand image. Consumers are increasingly conscious of sustainable practices and are more likely to support companies that actively engage in initiatives focused on reducing food waste."
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Wednesday, August 2: Get to know what you throw
Friday, August 4: Meal planning to waste less and save more
Monday, August 7: Keeping track of the food you buy
Wednesday, August 9: Lower your "foodprint"
Friday, August 11: Creating a grocery list and sticking to it
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