Join the movement to reduce waste with the Stop Food Waste Challenge!

Hennepin County | Ramsey County | Washington County

Stop Food Waste Challenge

August 1 - August 31, 2025

Incarnation Lutheran Church Feed

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Vernita Kennen 8/29/2025 5:41 PM
Thank you for the challenge - - I had the opportunity to share how our three counties work together on this challenge with people of faith working to end hunger and poverty from four other states on a zoom call this past week. None of them had participated in such an event before so it was new to them!

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- Vivien Fowler 8/30/2025 12:51 PM
  That’s wonderful! 🙌 It’s great not only to participate but also spread the word beyond three counties. Sharing this challenge with new audiences is such a powerful way to build awareness and inspire action. What an impact to introduce people to something positive they hadn’t experience before!
  
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- H McCrillis 8/31/2025 6:03 AM
  Thank you for participating. 🙂
  
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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?
Vernita Kennen 8/19/2025 8:17 AM
Yep; we do buy what is on sale, but we find ways to make use of the amount even if it means eating some things over for several days. There are always ways to change things up - - add other items to a dish; use different spices, etc. You can save and still make use of every leaf/crumb or kernel.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Shopping

Reflecting on how your grocery trips have gone in the past: do you fill up your cart? Do you think you can fit everything you need into a smaller cart or a basket?
Vernita Kennen 8/15/2025 2:44 PM
My shopping tote goes in the cart - - and when it is full, I'm done! Why buy more than I can carry?

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- Vivien Fowler 8/15/2025 7:16 PM
  We used to fill up a full cart since we only shopped once or twice a month. But in the past few years, I’ve shifted to shopping once or twice a week. With a little planning, I can fit everything into a smaller cart -- or even a basket 🛒. It helps that I have three grocery stores close to home! Besides, it saves money and reduces food waste 💰🌱.
  
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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?
Vernita Kennen 8/11/2025 12:25 PM
We always freeze limp celery and all celery leaves for soup, but I need to remember to freeze herbs, too - - better than adding dry herbs to soups and stews.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Planning

What did you find you are tossing the most? How can you change your habits to avoid wasting this food?
Nancy Vanderburg 8/10/2025 5:53 PM
Cucumbers got soft and mushy. I put in community school composting

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Vernita Kennen 8/09/2025 12:37 PM
Today's soup uses leftover chicken, old plus frozen celery/leaves, carrots and some cupboard ramen. What could be better?

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Vernita Kennen 8/08/2025 12:58 PM
It's too easy to forget to check in frequently and disappointed more of the Incarnation folks aren't joining us i this effort.

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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?
Vernita Kennen 8/08/2025 12:53 PM
Little goes to waste here - - there are always ways to use vegetables in stir fries or soups or stews or chili.

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Vernita Kennen 8/05/2025 8:04 AM
Relatives gave us GIANT zucchini - - we made cream soup base for clam chowder!

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- H McCrillis 8/07/2025 3:45 AM
  Ooh, I wouldn’t have thought of adding zucchini to chowder. 😀
  
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Vernita Kennen 7/25/2025 8:40 AM
I'm up for the latest challenge - - and ready for Day 1!

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