Cut Back on Food Waste This Thanksgiving

Posted by NG Kids in News Bites on November 22, 2011
i-2e95e10c0b341b9219c5b8d7677b51c4-food-waste-kids.jpg

This Thursday is Thanksgiving! Chances are you will have a lot of leftovers after your family feast. There’s a lot of extra food in American houses between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day–an extra 5 million tons!

What can you do to cut down on food waste this holiday season? Here are some tips from Nourishing the Planet on how your family can cut back.

Make a List
Create a shopping list of all the items you will need for holiday meals and stick to it.

Take Smaller Portions
Use a smaller plate to help you take smaller portions of food at mealtimes. That way you’re less likely to have leftovers on your plate.

Store Leftovers Safely
Proper storage of leftovers keeps them safe to eat for longer. Food that hasn’t been served properly have to be tossed.

Compost!
Instead of throwing out food scraps, add them to your compost heap.

Donate Extras
If you have extra (unopened) dried or canned foods, donate them to food banks or shelters.

Learn how you can give back during the holidays on National Geographic Kids.

How much do you know about Thanksgiving? Quiz Your Noodle and find out!

Photograph by Tyrone Turner


Tags: , ,
Categories: Culture

Comments

  1. shinystarsister
    November 24, 2011, 10:44 am

    wow this is a very smart and gross idea to do for thanksgiving leftovers

  2. geokid11
    November 28, 2011, 1:16 pm

    nice.

  3. RCastillo39
    December 1, 2011, 12:25 pm

    Thats a very good idea. Cause there’s alot of people on that day that dont have a house or somewhere to live. A homemade cooked meal will put a smile on there face.Even though they are not gifted like some of us they should still be treated the same in food and shelter waise.Thanksgiving there is always alot of left overs from people that over shop on food, pies and other good stuff.People only eat for a day then it goes in the trash.

  4. Jynnie27
    December 2, 2011, 7:30 pm

    Wow!! These ideas are sooo creative!I know on Thanksgivig a lot of peope toss out food ,when really they just could have saved it and donated it ike the artice said to do.I wish I realy would have thought about those ideas before!!

You must be logged in to post a comment.