10 food-saving kitchen hacks that are borderline genius

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Posted on 04/27/2022
A young girl in Senegal smiles next to a bunch of bananas.
Mary Noel shows off a bunch of bananas growing at her school in Ziguinchor, Senegal.

 

Ever lament the leftovers going bad in the back of your fridge? The kale you had big plans for but never got around to eating? Us too. Throwing away food you spent good money on doesn’t feel great (for your soul or your wallet), but it’s pretty common. In fact, a whopping one-third of all the food produced in the world is wasted. Reminder: This is the same world in which 19 million children are at risk of extreme hunger.

Cue the aha moment when you realize how easy it is to reduce your food waste with a few creative kitchen hacks. These tips will help you save food and money so you can waste less and have more to share with others – like, you know, kids who are experiencing hunger. Can you hear your great-grandmother’s sigh of approval from here?

1. Plan meals ahead and shop smart.

If you do nothing else, do this. Make meal plans and grocery lists every week, then stick to your list so you don’t buy food you won’t use. A grocery delivery or pickup service can be a great way to avoid impulse buys.

2. Use the pantyhose trick.

Did you know that wrapping individual potatoes and onions in pantyhose gives them space to breathe and reduces rot? Neither did we! Place one onion or potato in the bottom of the hose, then tie a knot and add another. They’ll last for months this way.

3. Get organized.

Organizing and regularly cleaning out your fridge and pantry can go a long way to prevent food waste. Keep older items in front so they’re used first, and label everything so that when you open the fridge you always have a clear view of what you have, what you need and what you should eat first.

4. Store fresh fruit and vegetables in sealed jars. 

They’ll last twice as long as they would in plastic. You can also keep bananas fresher longer by wrapping the ends in plastic wrap!

5. Upcycle stalks, peels and cores.

Don’t throw away the stalks and leafy green tops of veggies like carrots, beets and kale. Instead, add them to sautés and baked dishes for extra color and flavor. You can make a tasty mango syrup out of mango peels and cores, and apple skins make amazing apple cider vinegar. Veggie peelings can be used to create delicious homemade veggie broth. We could go on.

6. Refresh your old, crusty bread … with water.

You read that right. Rinse hardened bread with water for a few seconds, then bake it at 425 degrees for 3-5 minutes. It will taste like new.

7. Freeze herbs in ice cube trays.

Herbs are often the first thing to go bad in the fridge. You can keep them fresh by portioning them out into ice cube trays, covering them with olive oil and freezing them. Now you have ready-made seasonings for all your recipes!

A mom and her daughter harvest corn in Ecuador.
Cristel and her mom harvest corn in Ecuador. 

8. Started from the bottom, now you’re here.

Scraping the bottom of a mustard or jam jar? Add some oil, vinegar and a bit of seasoning to turn it into a delicious salad dressing. Or use the last little bit of nut butter in the jar to make overnight oats.

9. Get smart about storage.

Know thy produce and where it should be stored for maximum shelf life. Example: Potatoes and onions should both be stored in a cool, dry, dark place, but not in the fridge – and never together. Onions produce and emit ethylene gas, which speeds up the ripening process and can cause nearby potatoes to rot and spoil more quickly. Who knew?

10. Share the love.

Sharing your homemade meals with friends, family and neighbors reduces leftovers and spreads warm fuzzies. (That’s scientifically proven.)

Ready to waste less and share more? Take the pledge to reduce your food waste, save money and do your part to end child hunger.
Family in The Gambia shares dinner of fish and rice.


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