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Shaun Jamison's avatar

Shaun Jamison

St. Louis Park Residents

"Get smarter about food waste. "

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 317 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    32
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    8.8
    pounds
    food waste prevented

Shaun's actions

Community

Keep all food waste out of the garbage

In addition to using up my edible food, I will keep any extra scraps out of the trash by separating them for backyard composting, curbside pickup, or a drop-off program.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Storage

Be Smart About Food Labels

I will learn about food labels and not throw food out just based on the date on the package, but instead check the smell and color to see if it has gone bad.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Befriend My Freezer

I will freeze leftover food items or meals for later. The freezer is my food-waste-reduction friend!

COMPLETED 3
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

Shopping

Glean or Forage

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

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Shopping

Scrutinize Deals

I will resist the suggestion to buy the quantity advertised on sale and only buy what I know I will eat.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

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 2
DAILY ACTIONS

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 1
DAILY ACTION

Cooking

Set a Timer

I will set a timer to keep me on track with kitchen tasks and cooking and baking times so that I don't ruin food.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Participant Feed

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Shopping
    Are you someone who typically chooses what you buy based on what is on sale? How can you make sure you don't buy more than what you need?

    Shaun Jamison's avatar
    Shaun Jamison 8/22/2025 5:36 AM
    This is a great reminder. I love a deal. But I need to focus on things I'm confident will get consumed in the right amount of time. When the kids were little, we'd buy ahead on things they loved, but then suddenly, they didn't love them anymore.
  • 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?

    Shaun Jamison's avatar
    Shaun Jamison 8/20/2025 2:44 PM
    I think the trick here is to be flexible. People can be fickle, so I ask what they'll eat so sometimes I have to be flexible on ingredients to make sure people eat what they are offered.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Cooking
    How has using a timer changed your kitchen routine?

    Shaun Jamison's avatar
    Shaun Jamison 8/20/2025 2:43 PM
    I set my kitchen timing for less time than suggested because the estimates can be off and impacted but how hot the oven runs, etc.
  • 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?

    Shaun Jamison's avatar
    Shaun Jamison 8/20/2025 2:42 PM
    If I notice the tomatoes going bad, I toss them in a soup or rice bowl dish fast.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Planning
    What have you found out since you started taking an inventory of your fridge before shopping?

    Shaun Jamison's avatar
    Shaun Jamison 8/12/2025 8:25 AM
    I was exhausted on Friday, so my fridge check in was delayed. My fridge was ok, but I had lost control of my garden veggies.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Storage
    Do a bit of research about foods that freeze and revive well. What can you put in the freezer that you didn't know you could?

    Shaun Jamison's avatar
    Shaun Jamison 8/12/2025 8:21 AM
    I think it's more about being decisive for me. If I have leftovers, but don't have a clear plan to eat them quickly, I put them in the freezer now.

  • Shaun Jamison's avatar
    Shaun Jamison 8/12/2025 8:19 AM
    I didn't realize my zucchini got so big. I looked up what to do with giant zucchini and I'm planning to make zucchini boats.

    • Shaun Jamison's avatar
      Shaun Jamison 8/20/2025 2:47 PM
      My zucchini was too tough and while it tasted and looked good, you had to scrape out the flesh. I think I needed a smaller zucchini or just to cook it separately, shred the flesh, and then put the toppings on it heat them.

    • Krina Damien's avatar
      Krina Damien 8/13/2025 10:39 AM
      If they turn out well, please share the recipe!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Storage
    Did you know that not all food labeling means the same thing? How have you changed your habits to decide if food is still safe to eat?

    Shaun Jamison's avatar
    Shaun Jamison 8/01/2025 9:59 AM
    I've been able to eat food without throwing it away. One time I had very old pasta that somehow got missed, so I gave it away to someone for an art project.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community
    How has your awareness of the food you waste changed since you started separating it from other trash? Did anything surprise you?

    Shaun Jamison's avatar
    Shaun Jamison 8/01/2025 9:57 AM
    It's definitely less messy and I appreciate that it means less waste is going to the landfill.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Storage
    Did you find that you were storing food incorrectly? Which items have you changed?

    Shaun Jamison's avatar
    Shaun Jamison 8/01/2025 9:56 AM
    I didn't know to refridgerate avocados once they were ripe. That's helpful.