Christi Hagen

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 1 cartons of milk.

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

I will sign up for a free composting workshop and learn more about how to get started composting.

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.

Extend the life of your food by trying different preservation strategies like pickling, drying, or jamming. I will try 2 preservation techniques.

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

I will not toss food once it is past the best buy date. "Expiration" dates misleadingly refer to quality, not safety. Use your senses and best judgement.

Create a shopping list with specific recipes and meals in mind. Purchase only what's on the list when you do groceries.

Grains, nuts, and other dry goods are often sold in bulk bins that allow you to purchase only the quantity you need.

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

I will create an "Eat Me First" area in my fridge to prioritize food that needs to be used right away.

Those who grocery shop on an empty stomach spend 64% more than not-hungry shoppers. Resist impulse buys by shopping with a full stomach. Eat a snack or a meal before going grocery shopping.

Allow green, unripe avocados to ripen on the counter, then transfer to the refrigerator. Once cut, keep the pit in and rub with lemon or oil to reduce browning. I will properly store 2 avocados.

Store potatoes with an apple to avoid early sprouting. Keep them away from onions and in a cool, dark place. I will properly store 12 potatoes.

When life gives you lemons (or any other citrus peels), use the rinds to make a nontoxic cleaner.

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

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.

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

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.