It’s no secret that food wastage is a big problem. In fact, it’s been estimated that a whopping 30-40% of the food produced in America every year goes to waste! If we want to put a stop to this, we need to start with ourselves. Here are six ways you can stop wasting food.

1. Plan your meals ahead of time is the best way to stop wasting food

This will help you buy only what you need at the grocery store and reduce the likelihood of your food going bad before you have a chance to eat it. Plus, meal planning is a great way to try new recipes and get out of your cooking rut!

2. Store your food properly

Be sure to check expiration dates and keep track of when you open packaged goods. Proper storage will help your food last longer and taste better when you do finally eat it. The same goes for the doggy-bag you bring home from that delicious restaurant – try putting it in a proper air-tight container and you’ll have several more days for round-two.

3. Freeze what you can’t eat right away

If you have leftover ingredients or prepared meals that you know you won’t be able to eat before they go bad, pop them in the freezer! Freezing is a great way to prolong the life of your food.

4. Don’t be afraid of imperfections

We’ve all been guilty of passing over less-than-perfect produce at the grocery store, but those “imperfections” are often perfectly edible! Embrace wonky fruits and vegetables, and give them a chance – your wallet (and the planet) will thank you.

5. Compost what you can’t eat

If you really can’t find a use for something, don’t despair – composting is a great way to turn your food scraps into something beneficial for your garden (or somebody else’s).

6. Be an informed consumer

Pay attention to where your food comes from, how it was produced, and how far it had to travel to get to your plate. The more informed you are about these things, the easier it will be to make choices that are good for both you and the planet.

Wasting food is a big problem, but each of us has the power to do our part in solving it! By following these simple tips, we can all help put a stop to food waste – one meal at a time.