1. Plan Your Meals

One of the easiest ways to reduce food waste is to carefully plan your meals. Instead of going to the grocery store and purchasing foods on a whim, plan your meals ahead and only buy foods you know you’ll eat. 
By knowing exactly what you need for each meal, you can buy less food, save more money, and reduce the risk of food going bad before you get a chance to use it. 
 

2. Store Food Properly

Food storage can seriously extend the shelf life of your food and prevent spoilage. Use your fridge for perishables and your pantry for non-perishables, and don't forget to freeze food that you can’t use right away. 
Another thing to keep in mind is the “first-out" method: use older items first before opening new ones. This one may seem obvious, but it can be a game-changer when organizing your fridge. 
 

3. Compost Food Scraps

Recycling your food scraps into compost is a fantastic way to reduce the amount of food waste that ends up in landfills. Composting reduces methane emissions and enriches your soil with nutrient-rich compost. 
Vegetable scraps, banana peels, coffee grounds, and even eggshells can all go into your compost bin and help you lower food waste.
 

4. Understand Food Labels

Food labels can be confusing, but understanding them can help reduce waste. For example, "best by" and "sell by" expiration dates often refer to quality, not food safety. 
Retailers apply these date labels as a general guide to when the food is at its highest quality. In many cases, it’s still edible food that’s safe to eat well beyond these dates. 
When in doubt, trust your senses before you toss food out. AKA, does it smell sour? Toss it.
 

5. Donate Excess Food

If you have excess food you can't use, donate it to a local food bank or pantry. As many as 53 million people used food banks and other similar services in 2021 alone. So, not only would you be doing your part to reduce food waste, you would also be helping feed hungry people. 
 

6. Use Smaller Portions

Sometimes our eyes can be bigger than our stomachs and we overload our plates. One of two things typically happens afterward: Either you overeat and pack on some extra pounds, or you throw it away and contribute to more food waste.
By opting for smaller portion sizes, you can help to avoid both. Besides, you can always go back for seconds if you’re still hungry. Just make sure that you can finish the whole serving, of course. 
 

7. Buy Local Food

Remember, food waste isn’t just about what we put on our plates — it’s also about the resources it took to get there. Buying your food locally, like from a farmer’s market, can help reduce the waste in the supply chain.
The items you buy don’t have to travel long distances, so it cuts down on resources needed to fuel and store it. Plus, buying local supports the farmers in your area and the local economy. 
 

8. Use a Meal Kit Service

Picture this: you receive a perfectly portioned box of ingredients tailored to your chosen recipes right at your doorstep. No more guessing or overbuying at the grocery store!
With [meal kits](https://www.hellofresh.com/), you get exactly what you need in just the right quantities. Say goodbye to those half-used ingredients languishing in the back of your fridge. Every item is carefully curated, ensuring you cook precisely and minimize potential waste.