How to Help Fight Food Waste
Tips from the Food Recovery Network
Food Recovery Network (FRN) was formed by a group of college students who noticed that their dining hall was throwing food away at the end of each meal and started looking for solutions to redirect that food with people in need. FRN specializes in recovering prepared foods to ensure that the amazing, lovingly prepared food of chefs don’t go to waste. Click here learn more about our partnership with the Food Recovery Network. Throughout 2020, we are donating $1 for every 500g bag of RASPBERRY INSPIRATION and $2 for every 3kg bag sold in North America to FRN to help end food waste.
We chatted on Instagram Live with Regina Anderson, executive director of FRN, about how the organization fights food waste and how you can help reduce waste. According to Regina, small, everyday actions can add up to a big impact, and you don’t have to be a food waste expert to start. Read on for simple steps you can start taking today in your professional or home kitchen! You can find our entire conversation with Regina on our IGTV channel.
Why is fighting food waste important?
Many American families struggle with food insecurity, which is defined as limited or uncertain access to food. According to Save the Children, “17% of all children live in households that lack access to adequate food sometime during the year.” In addition, there are significant environmental costs associated with food waste.
How does FRN help?
FRN helps restaurants by handling all the logistics of picking up and donating food, making sure food is safe to eat all the way through the process.
How can chefs get connected with FRN?
Food Recovery will work with you no matter how much food you have available to donate. The organization finds ways to donate even small amounts of food by refrigerating or freezing smaller amounts when possible. Even as little as 1.2 pounds of food can equal a meal for someone in need.
What can you do at home?
There is food waste at every step in the food supply process, but most food waste takes place at home. Here are some simple tips to help you reduce your food waste footprint.
- Take inventory of what you have before you go grocery shopping.
- Keep track of when you bought something. Sometimes you can eat something past the use by or best by date. However, you should avoid eating anything that could make you sick.
- Make use of your freezer. Use labels to help you remember what you made, the ingredients you used and when it was made. Regina recommends adding a note describing how much you loved a food to make you even more excited to reheat and enjoy!
- Rather than buying frozen produce, buy fresh produce when it’s in season. Eat some, and then freeze the rest.
- Save and freeze scraps to make broth.
- Share extra food with neighbors, friends, and family when you can’t use or store it.
