12 Actions Your Family Can Take to Reduce Food Loss in the WorldEver looked at that sad, wilted lettuce in the fridge and thought, “There has to be a better way”? Well, there is! Reducing food loss isn’t just about saving money – it’s about protecting our planet and making the most of what we have. The good news? It’s something every family can do, and it doesn’t have to be hard or boring.Below are 12 easy actions your family can start doing today to help reduce food loss. By working together, we can help cut down on waste, save money, and make the world a better place for everyone!Cutting Down and Reducing Waste1. Get Organized with Meal PlanningLet’s face it – we’ve all been guilty of tossing food we never got around to using. One of the best ways to avoid this is by planning your meals. Grab a notebook, sit down with the family, and brainstorm meals for the week. By knowing what you’re going to cook, you can avoid buying extra food that ends up going bad. Plus, it helps you save money and time. Bonus tip: Stick to your shopping list when you hit the store!2. Store It Like a ProHow often do you throw away food because it went bad too fast? Learning how to store food correctly can be a game-changer. Did you know onions should be kept away from potatoes, or that apples last longer in the fridge? Make it a family challenge to see who can learn the coolest food storage hacks. Get the kids involved – it’s like a science experiment that helps you save food!3. Eat LeftoversLeftovers are like little treasures – meals that you can enjoy again without cooking from scratch! Sometimes, leftovers get pushed to the back of the fridge and forgotten about, leading to food loss. Make it a habit to eat leftovers, either for lunch the next day or as part of another dinner. You can even get creative by combining leftovers into new meals. Have a “leftover night” once a week where everyone pitches in to create a buffet of what’s left in the fridge.4. Know Your Food Dates“Best before” and “expiration dates” are not the same thing! Understanding the difference (https://inspection.canada.ca/en/food-labels/labelling/consumers/understanding-date-labels-your-food ) can save you from throwing away perfectly good food. “Best before” just means the food might not be at its peak taste, but it’s still safe to eat. “Expiration date” is the one you need to watch out for. Make it a family rule to check the dates before tossing anything – you might be surprised at how much food you can still enjoy.5. Use Your FreezerYour freezer is your best friend when it comes to reducing food loss. Freezing food helps it last longer, whether it’s fresh produce, meat, or leftovers. If you have vegetables that are about to go bad, chop them up and freeze them for future soups or stews. You can even freeze bread, milk, and cheese! Make a habit of checking your fridge for items that are about to expire and freeze them before they go bad.6. Buy “Ugly” Fruits and VegetablesMany fruits and vegetables get thrown away simply because they don’t look perfect – they might have a small bruise or an odd shape. But they taste just as good! When shopping for produce, don’t be afraid to pick up these “ugly” fruits and veggies. You’ll be helping reduce food loss while also supporting farmers who might not be able to sell less-than-perfect produce otherwise. Some stores even sell these items at a lower price, so it’s a win-win!7. Smaller Portions – Less WasteWe’ve all been guilty of piling our plates high, only to leave half of it behind. Serve smaller portions and encourage the family to take seconds if they’re still hungry. It’s a simple way to make sure we’re only eating what we need – and not sending food to the trash. This is a great habit to teach kids early on, so they grow up valuing their food.8. Get Creative with ScrapsBefore you toss those veggie peels or fruit skins, think again! Many food scraps can be transformed into something delicious. Turn carrot tops into pesto, use onion skins for broth, or freeze fruit peels for smoothies. Make it a fun challenge to see how many ways you can use every part of the food you buy. Less food in the bin = more food in your belly!9. Start CompostingFor the food scraps you just can’t use, composting is the way to go. Instead of throwing food waste in the trash, compost it and turn it into nutrient-rich soil for your garden. Even if you don’t have a garden, many cities offer composting programs. Teach the kids how composting works – it’s a great way to get them excited about helping the environment.10. Shop Smart: Buy Less, More OftenInstead of doing one massive grocery haul each week, try shopping more frequently and buying only what you need. This reduces the chances of food spoiling before you can use it. It also keeps your fridge less cluttered, so it’s easier to see what’s in there. No more forgotten veggies hiding in the back!11. Share the Love: Donate Extra FoodIf you find yourself with extra food that your family won’t be able to eat in time, why not donate it? Many food banks and shelters are happy to accept non-perishable items or even fresh produce. It’s a wonderful way to reduce food loss and help others at the same time. Get the kids involved by gathering donations together – it’s a great way to teach them about giving back.12. Grow Your Own GoodiesGrowing your own fruits and veggies is a fantastic way to cut down on food loss. You can pick only what you need, and nothing goes to waste! Even if you don’t have a big yard, you can grow herbs or small plants in pots. Start with easy-to-grow veggies like tomatoes, cucumbers, or lettuce, and let the kids help with watering and harvesting. It’s a fun family activity that also teaches them where food comes from.Small Changes, Big ImpactReducing food loss is something we can all do, and when we work together as a family, it becomes even easier. By making small changes in the way we shop, store, and eat food, we can save money, help the environment, and make sure that less food ends up in the trash. Each action may seem small, but when added together, they can make a big impact.So, which of these steps will your family try first? Start today, and before you know it, reducing food loss will become second nature to everyone in your home. Together, we can make a difference – one meal at a time!Get daily giving inspiration straight to your inbox with 365give’s daily inspiration. Sign up here and start receiving a new giving idea every day!Or read these previous blog posts for your own inspiration:How You Can Reduce Food Waste at HomeEmpower Students to Raise Awareness of Food Loss and Waste at Your School Roanfiel Andal+ postsBioHi there! My name is Roan. I'm an avid learner and passionate about a variety of different activities, from quality engineering, to design, to technology, photography, and beyond. I always look for new ways to use my creativity and skills to make a positive impact on the world. When I'm not working or volunteering, I enjoy writing in my journal, creating designs, learning a new language, or doing DIY projects.Roanfiel Andalhttps://365give.ca/author/roan/Transform Your Life: Small Habits for Big Changes for Yourself in 2025Roanfiel Andalhttps://365give.ca/author/roan/Eco-Friendly Holiday Guide: How to Give Back to the Planet This SeasonRoanfiel Andalhttps://365give.ca/author/roan/10 Ways of Giving Small Acts of Kindness on Giving TuesdayRoanfiel Andalhttps://365give.ca/author/roan/8 Inspiring Stories of Communities Coming Together for Big Impact Share Article: