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Pat Burns's avatar

Pat Burns

Bloomington Food Savers (residents & City staff)

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 383 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    26
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    11
    pounds
    food waste prevented
  • UP TO
    0.0
    conversations
    with people

Pat's actions

Storage

Learn About Food Storage

I will learn about food storage and store food based on best practices to keep it from spoiling before it is used.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Storage

Make Smoothies

I will freeze fruits and veggies, such as overripe bananas or avocados, to use later in smoothies.

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Planning

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.

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Shopping

Glean or Forage

I will learn about the foods that grow locally and try gleaning or foraging.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Send it Down the Grape Vine

I will talk to 1 family members or friends about my experience with this challenge, food waste, and what I have learned.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Cooking

Swap This for That

If I am missing an ingredient for a recipe I will find a substitute I have on hand and use that instead.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Planning

Sign up for Fridge Check Fridays

I 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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Cooking

Revive Limp Produce

I will rescue limp produce like leafy greens or carrots by soaking them in cold water or using them in recipes where appearance doesn't matter.

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Storage

Preserve food

I will try a new method of food preservation, such as canning, pickling, drying or making jam. I will try 1 preservation techniques.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Storage

Properly Store Berries

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 1 packs of berries.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed


  • Pat Burns's avatar
    Pat Burns 8/07/2025 3:10 PM
    Last night I made salsa verde with tomatillos from our CSA. I went light on the jalapeño, also from the CSA, and wish I’d added a bit more. Still it’s delicious and I’m happy to use the produce in the fridge.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Planning
    How easy has it been for you to plan your garden or CSA produce into your meals? Do you ever let your seasonal food go to waste?

    Pat Burns's avatar
    Pat Burns 8/03/2025 2:28 PM
    It takes planning and time input. Some weeks are easier than others. Sadly, some producers end up in the compost bin.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Cooking
    What successes have you had in reviving limp produce? What can you do so that your produce doesn't go limp in the future?

    Pat Burns's avatar
    Pat Burns 8/03/2025 2:27 PM
    I have successfully revived, lettuce, and carrots. Rotating stock and paying better attention to what’s in the refrigerator would help prevent this issue.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Storage
    Canning and pickling food is a great way to have delicious summer fruits and vegetables all year round. What are some foods you would like to preserve and enjoy later?

    Pat Burns's avatar
    Pat Burns 8/01/2025 1:07 PM
    Pickles, green beans, carrots
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Cooking
    How comfortable are you with making ingredient swaps? Where do you go to find substitutes if you don't have what you need?

    Pat Burns's avatar
    Pat Burns 8/01/2025 1:00 PM
    I am getting more comfortable with ingredients swats. I generally go online to find suggestions.