Cristin McVey

Grocery shop more often, and buy fresh foods in smaller quantities.

Bigger carts make us feel like we need to fill them! Use a hand basket to improve grocery store discipline and prevent over-purchasing.

20 billion pounds of fruits and veggies go to waste on farms every year, often because they don't live up to the cosmetic standards of grocery stores. Buy ugly produce at the grocery store, farmers market, or sign up for an ugly produce CSA box.

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.

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

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

I will organize one of Ecochallenge.org's discussion courses on food sustainability, 'Menu for the Future' or 'Hungry for Change', with my family, friends, coworkers, or classmates.

I will watch 2 documentary(ies) about food sovereignty: the right of local peoples to control their own food systems including markets, ecological resources, food cultures and production methods.

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

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

Utilize beet greens, carrot tops, and herb stems to make a delicious pesto, sauce, or dressing. I will try 3 root-to-leaf recipes.

Give leftovers a new life! For example, use leftover rice to make fried rice. I will try a recipe that repurposes leftovers 5 times.

Store vegetable scraps in your freezer and use them to make veggie stock. I will make this recipe 3 times.

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

I will ask for half-portions options at 3 restaurants and cafes to minimize food waste.

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 4 avocados.

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 2 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 1 cartons of milk.

I will keep a fridge inventory to stay up to date with what I have in my fridge before I go grocery shopping.

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

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.

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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.