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Avoid waste and save money while hosting your holiday gatherings
This holiday season, let’s turn the feast into a win for both our stomachs and the planet! While we gather around the table to celebrate the season with loved ones, we can also take action to reduce food waste and make a big impact. By planning smarter, serving just what we need, and getting creative with leftovers, we can savor every bite without the guilt of excess. It’s not just about giving thanks and presents—it’s about giving back to the environment, too. So, let’s make this holiday season deliciously sustainable and leave waste off the menu!
Planning, Portions, Preparation!
Avoiding food waste starts long before the dinner table is set! By cutting down on unnecessary food waste from the very beginning, you can help the planet and save some money. One great way to get started is by using tools like the “Guest-imator” from SaveTheFood.com. This handy tool helps you plan the perfect portions based on the size and type of gathering, so you won’t end up with more food than you need. It’s a simple step that makes a big difference, ensuring you only buy what’s necessary and can focus on creating delicious meals without the worry of food waste and spending too much money.
Leftovers for Later!
Eating, sharing, or sending your leftovers home with guests is a fantastic way to minimize waste and stretch your holiday feast even further! Using reusable glass containers to store leftovers not only keeps them airtight and fresh, but it also helps keep harmful single-use plastics out of the landfill. More ways to prevent waste—get creative! Classic dishes can be transformed into delicious meals for days to come. Turn turkey and cranberry sauce into hearty sandwiches, use turkey bones to make flavorful soups or stocks, and repurpose sides and veggies into new, exciting dishes. With a little imagination, your leftovers can keep the holiday spirit going long after the last plate is cleared!
When in Doubt, Compost it out!
Lastly, compost is king when it comes to sustainability! While preparing your holiday meal, consider using a kitchen food scrap pail for collecting your veggies scraps for your backyard compost bin, or saving your food scraps, bones, as well as peels, and tossing them into your curbside green cart instead of throwing them away in the garbage. Learn more about the food scrap collection pail program and where to get your pail. By sending your unwanted food scraps into your backyard compost bin, or municipal curbside organics collection program, you’re giving those nutrients a second life, helping enrich the soil and complete the food cycle. It’s an easy and impactful way to deter food waste from going to the landfill while supporting a healthier planet. So, this holiday, let’s give back to the Earth with every peel and food scrap!
Small changes in how we plan, prepare, and manage our food can have a big impact on the planet. By reducing food waste, enjoying or reimagining leftovers, using sustainable storage options, and composting scraps, we not only cut down on waste but also help preserve resources and support a healthier environment. Every thoughtful choice—from portion planning to finding creative uses for extra food—adds up. Let’s make mindful decisions that benefit both our wallet, bellies and the Earth, creating a more sustainable future for everyone during this holiday season and everyday thereafter.
