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Reduce Food Waste – Easy Tips for Home Cooks

Most people are concerned about the amount of food they throw away, and with good reason. The average American family wastes over $1,500 worth of food each year. That statistic is not good for our budget or the environment. As we move into the spring season and celebrate Earth Day, this is a perfect time to start practicing a few smart cooking ways to significantly reduce food waste, save money, and help our planet.

6 Steps to Reduce Food Waste:

1. Plan your meals and make a grocery list.

Once your meal plan is done, make a shopping list of the items you need to purchase. The list will keep you on track at the store so you don’t purchase unnecessary products that may go bad and need to be tossed.

• Start by perusing through your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer to see what foods you already have and what items need to be used up. These foods should be added to your meal plan first.
• From there, you can fill in the rest of your menu. If you need a little inspiration, check out recipe websites, cookbooks, and magazines. Check out a one-week menu featuring delicious Michigan Apples.
• Remember that meals don’t have to be overly complicated. Simply assembling a meal like a deli rotisserie chicken, frozen vegetables, whole grain rolls, and fresh Michigan Apple slices is just fine, and provides a serving of protein, whole grain, fruit, and vegetables.

2. Store food properly.

When you arrive home from the supermarket, the next step is to store all of your ingredients properly to reduce spoilage. Perishable items such as fresh produce and meat, poultry, and seafood are the most vulnerable to going bad due to improper storage.

• Store meats on the bottom shelf of the fridge, below any prepared or ready-to-eat foods, to prevent cross-contamination. If you don’t plan on using meat within a few days, it should be stored in the freezer.
• Fresh produce should be placed in the vegetable drawer, and remember to keep the ones that will spoil faster on top so you will use them first.
• The USDA FoodKeeper app is a great tool for assistance with smart food storage.

3. Use items with a short shelf life first.

Michigan Apples can last for several months if stored in the refrigerator, so they can be used for many weeks in recipes or for a handy, healthy snack, thus avoiding waste.

• Check items such as bagged salads and yogurts for use-by or best-by dates to ensure you consume them at top quality.
• Tender vegetables and berries have a shorter shelf life than hardier items like apples, broccoli, carrots, and potatoes.

4. Be creative with remaining ingredients and distressed produce.

Get creative with leftover ingredients so they don’t go to waste.

• Store vegetable trimmings and meat or poultry bones together in the freezer to be used for stock later.
• Stale rolls or bread can be easily made into breadcrumbs in your food processor.
• Use leftover beef, chicken, or pork to top a salad or in a sandwich.
• If you have some “distressed” produce, think beyond banana bread and make smoothies, roasted veggies, and homemade soups. Apples, for example, can always be made into applesauce, sautéed, or used in this nutritious Apple and Almond Green Smoothie.

5. Use your leftovers in other meals.

Plan to use your leftovers in other meals. Create lunches to-go from last night’s dinner, or create simple new meals. Never leave a leftover for the waste can, as the ideas for using them are endless!

• Chili may be served with cornbread for one meal and used as a topping for nachos with cheese and avocado for a second meal.
• Use leftover beef in a simple stir-fry with frozen veggies and instant rice, or top a green salad with leftover shredded chicken, sliced apples, and a handful of walnuts, like in the Kale, Chicken Salad with Apples & Almonds Recipe below.
• A batch of applesauce can be used to top pancakes or replace part of the oil in baked goods, and half of a leftover apple can be diced on oatmeal.

6. Make the freezer your friend.

Leftovers that may not get eaten in time can always be put into the freezer. In addition, when you are cooking certain meals, it may make sense to cook a double batch so you can freeze the extra to use during especially busy weeks. Freezing ingredients can also save you money at the supermarket.

• If meat is on sale, buy extra and freeze some for another week’s menu plan.
• Just remember to label and date the items that go into your freezer and check the contents weekly to ensure you are using up frozen items promptly.
• For more information, here is a complete guide to freezing foods.

Michigan Apples – the Perfect Snack with a Long Shelf Life

Since Michigan Apples have such a long shelf life, they are the perfect addition to a variety of meals and never have to be wasted. As you plan your spring meals, here are a few healthy Michigan Apple recipes – you get all the taste and no waste!

Try these Recipes to Help Reduce Food Waste in Your Kitchen

Kale, Chicken Salad with Apples & Almonds Recipe

This easy-to-assemble, nutrient-rich salad is a perfect springtime meal! Feel free to add additional fresh veggies that you may want to use up.

Makes 4 servings.

Nutrition information per serving: 333 calories; 19g fat; 27g protein 20g; 13g carbohydrates; 4g fiber; 427mg sodium

INGREDIENTS:

• • 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (or leftover chicken)
  • Cooking spray
  • 5 ounces of baby kale
  • 1 cup sliced carrots
  • 1 Michigan Apple, halved and cut into 1/4-in.-thick slices (try Honeycrisp, EverCrisp, Fuji, or Gala)
  • 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted

DRESSING:

• • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon each salt & pepper

DIRECTIONS:

1. 1. Combine kale, carrots, and apple slices in a large bowl.
   2. Add dressing and toss to coat.
   3. Divide kale mixture evenly among 4 plates; top evenly with shredded chicken. Sprinkle with almonds.

Mini Apple, Goat Cheese, Walnut Pizza

Looking for a fresh twist on pizza? Thinly sliced Michigan Fuji Apples, goat cheese, walnuts, and arugula provide an enticing blend of flavors.

Makes 4 servings

Nutrition information per serving: 292 calories; 13g fat; 7g protein; 39g carbohydrates; 5g fiber; 359mg sodium

INGREDIENTS:

• • 4 mini Ancient Grain Naan Flatbreads (or pita bread)
  • 2 Michigan Apples, thinly sliced (try Honeycrisp, EverCrisp, Fuji, or Gala)
  • 4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled (can use feta cheese)
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons honey
  • 2 cups baby arugula
  • 4 tablespoons chopped walnuts, toasted

DIRECTIONS:

1. 1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
   2. Place naan bread on a baking sheet.
   3. Arrange apple slices evenly over bread; top with goat cheese. Sprinkle thyme evenly over the cheese.
   4. Bake at 400°F for 10 minutes or until cheese melts and begins to brown.
   5. Combine the oil and the next 3 ingredients (through honey) in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk.
   6. Add arugula; toss gently to coat. Sprinkle walnuts evenly over individual breads; top with arugula mixture and serve.

Power Blend Slaw with Apples & Raisins

A prepared power blend mix and Michigan Apples team up to make an easy slaw that is crunchy, delicious, and nutritious! This recipe uses many products you may have right in your kitchen. Enjoy with a sandwich or a side of seafood, meat, or poultry.

Makes 6 servings

Nutrition information per serving: 159 calories; 5g fat; 3g protein; 28g carbohydrates; 3.5g fiber; 81mg sodium

INGREDIENTS:

• • 1/2 cup light sour cream
  • 3 tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise
  • 1-1/2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 medium Michigan Apple, chopped with skin on (try Honeycrisp, EverCrisp, Fuji, or Gala)
  • 1 cup raisins (regular or golden)
  • 1 (10-ounce) package of Power Blend slaw mix (such as Mann’s)

DIRECTIONS:

1. 1. Combine the first 6 ingredients in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk.
   2. Add chopped apple, raisins, and Power Blend; toss to combine.

You can find even more healthy and delicious recipes along with easy tips to get in your apple a day with Michigan Apples.