Preventing Food Waste

On this page you will find:

• Meal planning links
• Food service industry resources

Meal Planning Resources

The average family of four wastes at least $1,500 a year in uneaten food.

And think of all the water, time, fuel, and other resources that went into growing, preparing, and shipping the food, only for it to be wasted.

Use the below tools to help with your meal planning.

• The Meal Prep Mate (Natural Resource Defense Council)
  • Learn the how, why, and what you need about meal prepping to reduce waste.
• Meal Planning Tips (EPA)
  • A simple list of helpful tips

• FDA Articles

  • Food Facts: How to Cut Food Waste and Maintain Food Safety
  • FDA Fact Sheet: Tips to Reduce Food Waste
  • Stop Food Waste Shopping List Template

There are also many for-profit meal planning services and smart phone apps that can be purchased to help prevent food waste. As with all things, be a smart consumer.  Read about what they offer before signing up for any subscription plans.

Resources for Restaurants

If you own or work in one of Madison's many local restaurants, the below tools could be useful to help you reduce food waste.

• Food Loss Prevention Options for Restaurants (EPA)
• Foodservice Food Waste Action Guide (ReFED)
• Fighting Food Waste in Hospitality and Food Service (World Wildlife Fund & National Restaurant Association)
• Repurpose with a Purpose(Culinary Institute of America & other organizations)