Washington County Staff

Today...I checked my organized refrigerator; wrote down a grocery list; went shopping for listed items only; prepared and cooked food using three leftover items; and also stored curry and soup in freezer to be used at a later date. Overall, my family and I enjoyed this fun and educational challenge and we plan to continue this challenge as to...

I love the experience of meeting the farmer and purchasing something I know they grew with love and care. Fresh vegetables from the farmers market are SO much better than store bought! I find the flavor to be so much more intense, no matter what the veggie is!

I am looking forward to utilizing these tips next summer as I build up a new garden bed and continue to improve my vegetable gardening skills!

Instead of buying fruits in bulk, I've decided to buy them individually and/or as needed in the future. Since I have so much fresh fruits leftover from two weekends ago, I am going to make jam and smoothies and then freeze them today.

I just watched two very interesting, informative and educational videos, i.e.,"5 Tips to Reduce Waste" and "!00 Ways to Reduce Food Waste You Have to Try."

I started a compost pile where I have been placing yard waste and food scraps. It noticeably decreases the volume of trash going in the bin.

This week is proving to be a bit challenging as I have had a stomach bug and the cooking, menu and plan have been scrapped for the time being. We also have an upcoming trip and family stress that are taking focus away from sticking to a routine. I feel that this is the "Challenge" part for me. Sticking to the goal while life gets...

I started practicing the "first in, first out" inventory method two weeks ago that include organizing the refrigerator, labeling food items, rotating and creating a eat first food area. So far...love this because it helps my family and I with the stop food waste challenge.

Mainly I learned this information from my grandmother who worked in the food industry and my mom. I've also called companies from the product label when I've had a question annd more recently on-line resources and friends.

As a child I was taught "Waste not; Want not" and have used many of the practices that the Food Waste Challenge recommends: shopping from a list, only buying what I intend to use, FIFO, repurposing leftovers, composting, organizing refrigerator so items needing used first are in front, proper storage to keep items fresh longer, using...