Ami Gomez

Watch this video and get a glimpse of what is actually getting thrown away in our trash cans and dumpsters.

Watch a Last Week Tonight with John Oliver episode on the topic of food waste and learn about the scope and scale of the issue.

Sign up for the San Diego Food System Alliance Newsletter to stay up to date on what's happening in the region

I will visit seafoodwatch.org or download the app and commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean.

Store apples up to 7 days on the counter, then move them to the refrigerator. Keep them away from bananas and avocados as they speed ripening. I will properly store 5 apples.

Did you know that milk should never be stored in the side door of a fridge? Learn where to properly store food in your fridge by checking out the Resource. I will properly store 2 cartons of milk.

To keep berries fresh, place them on top of a paper towel in a sealed container to absorb excess moisture and reduce chances of molding. I will properly store 2 packs of berries.

To keep bananas from browning quickly, break up the bunch and separate. Don’t store bananas with apples, which speed up ripening. If the stems came covered in plastic wrap, do not remove the plastic until ready to eat as this will slow the release of ethylene gas. I will properly store 5 bananas.

Store potatoes with an apple to avoid early sprouting. Keep them away from onions and in a cool, dark place. I will properly store 5 potatoes.

Rescue limpy produce like leafy greens or carrots by soaking in an ice bath.

Freeze fruits nearing their end and use in smoothies. You can even try freezing avocados (see Resource)!

Missing an ingredient for a recipe? Check this list to find the best substitutes.

Five bananas for $1 is a good deal only if you eat all five. Many stores offer the sale price even if you buy less than the stated quantity.

Purchase local, seasonal produce, which will likely stay fresh longer as it was picked more recently than supermarket produce.

For each day during the food waste tracking week, record your food waste. This action accepts one entry per day, so be sure to enter one total for food waste across all of your meals, or weigh all of your food waste once at the end of each day. Please use ounces for unit of measurement.