Nadeaja Shaheed

I will host a Zero Food Waste Dinner Party for 4 people.

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.

I will read about about state and federal legislation that can impact food waste reduction and recovery.

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

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 3 packs of berries.

Trim the ends of asparagus and place them in a jar or glass with 1-2 inches of water, just like fresh cut flowers. Keep them in the refrigerator. I will properly store 2 bunches of asparagus/celery.

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 3 avocados.

I will watch 1 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.

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 my nearest farmers market to find out who produces my food, and will learn about the quality of life of those who produce my food in other regions of the world to make better choices when I shop.

Don't throw out those few pieces of stale bread. Repurpose them to use as breadcrumbs, soup thickeners, or croutons. I will try 3 stale bread recipes.

Place cut carrots and celery in jars filled with water to keep them fresh, crisp and easy to grab for up to a week. I will properly store 3 veggie snacks.

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.

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

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.

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

For recipes that call for small amounts of different vegetables, shop at the salad bar to get exactly what you need.

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.