How to reduce your household’s food waste

April 22, 2022

Did you know that about 60 per cent of food produced in Canada is lost or wasted? Health Canada suggests reducing, recovering and recycling as ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the sustainability of our food system.

Food gets wasted at every step of the food system - during production, packaging, processing, wholesale and distribution, in the store, and at home. That’s why local food systems, with fewer steps between producer and consumer, can be part of the solution to reducing food waste.

Almost half of the value of Canada’s food waste - 47 per cent - occurs in the home. There are lots of ways you can reduce your household’s food waste. By following the tips listed below you can help create a healthier tomorrow.

In this Story…

Reduce

Recover

Recycle

Reduce

Plan meals before you shop so that you only buy what you can eat
Learn how to store produce to keep it fresh longer. See this short video for some great tips.
Try shopping at your local Farmers’ Market or growing some of your own food this season to support local food systems
Purchase food that comes without, or with minimal, packaging

Recover

If you cannot use up all of your produce, think of putting it in the freezer to use later. Frozen produce can be used in soups, stews and baking. Put brown bananas in the freezer to use in a smoothie or banana bread.
Donate extra produce from your garden to a food program in your community
Volunteer with a gleaning program if your community has one. You can help to recover food so it is not wasted.

Recycle

You can recycle food that cannot be eaten by participating in organic waste collection programs or starting a composter in your backyard.

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