Planning

Planning to prevent waste

One of the most effective ways to prevent food waste at home is to plan meals ahead of time. There are an abundance of tools and strategies out there to help you plan smarter to save food and money!

Track My Wasted Food

I will track the food that my household of (___) throws out so I can learn what we're wasting and why.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Track What You Toss

Form to Enter Your Wasted Food Data

Fridge Check guide
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DAILY ACTION
Keep a Food Inventory

I will take a fridge and pantry inventory to stay up to date with what I have at home before I go grocery shopping.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Free Kitchen Inventory Printables: How to Keep Track of Your Food

Kitchen Inventory Sheet
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DAILY ACTION
Sign up for Fridge Check Fridays

will sign up for Fridge Check Friday emails, sent by Hennepin County but open to everyone, to prompt me to check my fridge for food that needs to be used up and for hacks on storing food to keep it fresh.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Trash or Cash
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Try a Food Tracking App

I will download and use an app that helps me track and manage my food.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

FoodKeeper

Cooklist

Pantry Check

CozZo
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Learn About and Choose a Meal Plan Style

I will explore different meal plan techniques and choose one that works for my household.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

10 Different Meal Planning Methods

Best Meal Planning Methods for Your Lifestyle
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Create a Weekly Meal Plan

I will reduce food waste and save money by planning a weekly menu of meals and ingredients for my household of (___).
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ACTION RESOURCES:

10 Easy Tips for Meal Planning

Free Printable Weekly Meal Planners

Best Meal-Planning Apps
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DAILY ACTION
Plan a Leftovers Day

I will plan a meal to use up leftovers by creating a tasty smorgasbord or using a recipe that repurposes them.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

15 Foods That are Always Better as Leftovers

The Best Ways to Reheat All Your Leftovers

What To Do With Lonely Leftovers
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DAILY ACTION
Learn About Portion Sizes

I will observe how much my family members eat and learn how many portions will match our life stages and appetites.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Portion Size Guide

Save the Food Guest-imator

Portion Planner
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DAILY ACTION
Make Time for Meal Prep

I will set aside time to prepare meals in advance.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

How to Meal Prep- A Beginner's Guide

Meal Prep Mate

U.S. EPA Prep Now, Eat Later
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DAILY ACTION
Create a Household Cookbook

I will create a cookbook or recipe collection of go-to meals for my household to make meal planning easier.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Six Foolproof Ways to Organize Your Recipe Collection

Samsung Food
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Plan to Use My Garden or CSA Produce

I will check to see what will be ready to eat in my garden or CSA box this week and plan recipes that use these ingredients.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Mill City Farmers Market Recipes

A Seasonal Look at Fresh Produce
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DAILY ACTION
Plant a Garden

I will plant an herb or vegetable garden at my home or community garden.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Vegetable Gardening for Beginners

Planting Edible Container Gardens

Growing Herbs in Home Gardens
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ONE-TIME ACTION
CREATE A CUSTOM ACTION

Ideally, you’ll choose at least one measurable goal so that you can measure your success but there are no limits on what you can choose—so exercise your creativity!

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