How to cut food waste and save money

The average Canadian home wastes 79 kg of food every year. It mounts up easily: your kid didn’t like what you made them; you cooked for eight but only six showed up; a brick of cheese got lost in the fridge behind the value jar of grape jelly, etc.

But cutting just over half the food waste you produce now could save you about $1,300 per year.

What would you do with an extra $1,300 in your pocket?

Maybe you’ll reduce the balance on your credit card, save for an emergency fund, or pay off student loans.

Any of these options would be better than throwing away $1,300 a year. That’s exactly what food waste is.

Limiting food waste as a parent

This summary from Love Food Hate Waste is a fantastic resource for parents with kids at every age. Some of the more thoughtful and/or interesting recommendations included:

• Serving your kids smaller portions — they can always get more if they’re hungry 
• Extend the five-second rule to 20 unless you live on a dirt floor 
• Inspect lunch boxes to note what gets eaten and what doesn’t 

But maybe the best way to keep your kids from wasting food is to maintain consistent variety with meals you know your kids will like. The +4 Rule, mentioned below, will help with this.

Limiting food waste as someone living alone

Living alone gives you the benefit to shop for food when you see fit, and you should take advantage of that fact. Go every day or every other day for fresh fruits and meats, buying only what you need so you don’t waste anything. And to save even more money, buy your fresh fruit at independent grocers.

The key here is to have a stocked pantry of staples so you can do many things with the same produce and/or meats. You’ll keep yourself from getting bored, and from defaulting to ordering in. 

To this end, invest in a full spice rack, a few different oils, sea salt for flavouring, and honey for sweetening sauces.

6 ways to improve your life that also cuts food waste

We already covered the basics in another article. So, to avoid piling on, we took this list in a different direction, because we’re all much more likely to stick to waste reduction if there’s something else in it for us.

1. Know what food expiration labels mean

Cutting food waste starts with understanding food expiration labels. Many people throw away perfectly good food by misinterpreting “Best before,” “Use by,” and “Sell by” dates. Here’s the difference between them.

1. Best before date: This date tells you when food tastes its best, not when it becomes unsafe. You can often eat items like canned goods, dry foods, and even dairy after this date if stored properly. Best before dates apply to foods that have a shelf life of 90 days or fewer.
   
   
2. Expiration date: This label is only placed on specific foods with stringent compositional and nutritional requirements that may not be met after the expiration date. Examples include infant formula and nutritional supplements. Food with an expiration date should not be bought, sold or eaten if the expiration date has passed.
   
   
3. Packaged on date: This label is applied to foods packaged for retail sale with a shelf life of 90 days or less and must be accompanied by durable life information either on the label or on a poster located next to the food. This label is only meant to tell you when the food was prepared.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has a webpage explaining how to tell each of these labels apart on food packaging.

2. Use smart grocery shopping strategies

Save money and cut food waste by shopping smarter. Start by planning your meals for the week. Create a detailed list of ingredients you need and check your pantry and fridge before heading to the store. If you plan to make pasta on Tuesday, see if you have noodles and sauce at home before adding them to your list.

Here’s a great example of a weeklong meal prep plan from Alberta Health services, complete with all the ingredients you’ll need.

Shop the perimeter of the store first, where fresh produce, meats, and dairy are located, and avoid the processed foods in the middle aisles. Focus on buying fresh items you’ll use within a few days. For instance, grab just enough salad greens to last a couple of meals rather than a large bag that may go to waste.

Buy in bulk only when it makes sense. Stock up on non-perishable staples like rice or pasta but skip bulk purchases of perishable foods unless you have a clear plan to use or freeze them.

Stick to your list and resist the temptation to grab unnecessary items. These simple strategies help you reduce waste, save money, and keep your kitchen organized. 

If you’re looking for inexpensive items to cook tonight, apps like FoodHero can help you save on perishable foods. It shows what items stores in your area are selling at a discount. It includes details such as the items' price and how many are available at the store.

In the bakery and prepared foods sections of most grocery stores, there are often items that are discounted as they are getting close to their “Best before” date.

3. Batch cook and freeze meals to save time and money

Batch cooking and freezing meals help you save time and money and reduce food waste. By preparing larger quantities of meals, you avoid last-minute takeout and use groceries before they spoil.

Choose recipes that freeze well, like soups, casseroles, and stews. Store portions in airtight containers or freezer bags and remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.

Incorporate ingredients you already have on hand to avoid overbuying. For example, add wilting spinach to soups or casseroles before it spoils. Freeze individual components like cooked rice, beans, or roasted vegetables to create quick, mix-and-match meals.

Defrost meals safely by transferring them to the fridge overnight or using your microwave’s defrost setting. Regularly check your freezer inventory to ensure you rotate meals and prevent waste.

With batch cooking, you always have a homemade meal ready to go. You’ll spend less on food, waste less, and eliminate the stress of deciding what to cook after a busy day.

4. Find creative uses for leftovers

Turn leftovers into exciting new meals to reduce waste and stretch your grocery budget. By thinking creatively, you can transform yesterday’s dinner into today’s fresh dish.

Freeze or repurpose cooked proteins like chicken, beef, or fish into wraps, salads, or pasta dishes. For example, shred leftover chicken to make tacos or add it to a stir-fry with fresh vegetables. Roasted vegetables and blend them into a flavorful pasta sauce.

Mashed potatoes can become crispy potato pancakes or a topping for shepherd’s pie. Have extra rice? Fry it up with eggs and vegetables for a quick, satisfying fried rice dish.

Even small portions can shine when combined with fresh ingredients. Toss leftover grilled salmon into a green salad or use cooked grains as a base for grain bowls with fresh veggies and a simple dressing.

With a little creativity, leftovers become a foundation for exciting meals rather than forgotten fridge items. By reimagining them, you’ll save money, reduce waste, and enjoy greater variety in your weekly menu.
 

5. Take up gardening as a hobby?

Gardening is often recommended to save money, but is it worth it? 

Yes, but let's be realistic about these actual benefits. 

Psychology Today has published a feature article on the many mental and emotional benefits of gardening. Among the most interesting observations is that of Sigmund Freud: “Plants and flowers are relaxing to look at. They have no emotions or conflicts.” They are a pleasant distraction. 

If you have time and space, savings can be realized in addition to the psychological benefits. If not, you can at least settle for the fact that gardening is a great way to cultivate a better, more direct and intentional relationship with your food.

6. Limiting food waste with meal kits

Meal kits lead to less food waste and contribute 33% less greenhouse gas than meals made with food stuffs purchased at the grocery store.

The downsides are packaging waste and cost. Technology is addressing the former, with new ideas in eco-friendly packaging hitting the market every day. The latter is a cost of doing business and it’s not for everyone. But you don’t have to sign up for meal kits to do your part if you stick to the tips above.

A final point about food waste

An age-old response by parents to their kids who waste food is to think about the starvation happening in other parts of the world. But these days, no one need go nearly as far.

A Statistics Canada survey in 2023 (the most recent data at the time of writing) found there were 8.7 million Canadians, including 2.1 million children, living in households with food insecurity. So, every morsel of food you save improves the planet, your bottom line, and possibly the lives of people in your community.

Struggling to afford the basics?

If the cost of food has strained your budget and led to excessive debt, it may be the right time to discuss your financial situation with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee.

A Trustee can assist you in managing bills and developing effective budgeting strategies to help alleviate financial burdens and regain control of your finances. They can even help you reduce your debt load.

By working with a trustee, you can receive expert guidance and support to navigate your financial challenges and make informed decisions to improve your financial well-being.

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