Avoiding Food Waste

Avoiding Food Waste

April 8, 2026 General /Family

Decorative abstract Simple Tips to Reduce Food Waste and Stretch Your WIC Benefits

Ana was tired of throwing food away. She felt like her money was literally going in the trash. She is not alone. In the United States, about one-third of food is wasted. The good news?

A few simple steps can help you save food and money.

notebook Plan Before You Shop

Planning is the best way to prevent food waste.

  • ✓ Check your fridge, freezer, and pantry first. You may already have what you need.
  • ✓ Keep a grocery list. You can use a notebook or a free phone app.
  • ✓ Check your freezer space. Buying too much can lead to food going bad if you do not have room to store it.

Meal Make a Simple Meal Plan

Leftovers are often wasted. Planning ahead helps you use them.
  • Plan meals using foods you already have.
  • Use foods that may spoil first.
  • Plan meals that use leftovers.
  • Write down how much you need (example: chicken for 2 meals, spinach for 3 lunches).
Tip!

You do not need a fancy plan. Just think about the next 1–2 weeks.

man holds a baby in a shopping cart while shopping in a store

shopping Smart Shopping Tips

Planning is the best way to prevent food waste.

  • ✓ Eat a snack before you shop so you are less likely to buy extra food.
  • ✓ Bring your list and stick to it.
  • ✓ Sale items are only a good deal if you will use them before they spoil.
  • ✓ “Buy one, get one free” can save money, but only if you have space to store it.
  • ✓ Buying from bulk bins lets you buy small amounts of foods like rice, beans, or nuts to try without committing to a large amount you won’t use.
right way Store Food the Right Way
green thumb
  • ✓ Store fruits and vegetables properly to help them last longer.
  • ✓ Keep your fridge at 40°F or below.
  • Do not wash berries, grapes, or salad greens until you are ready to eat them. Extra moisture makes them spoil faster.
  • Do not leave cooked food out for more than 2 hours (1 hour if it is very hot outside).

leftover Use What You Have

At the end of the week, look for small amounts of leftover food. Small amounts can become a whole new meal.

You can:

  • ✓ Add leftover veggies or meat to soup, chili, pasta sauce, or stir-fry.
  • ✓ Freeze fruit that is getting soft for smoothies.
  • ✓ Use stale bread to make French toast, croutons, or bread crumbs.

buy amount Buying in Large Amounts

Warehouse stores and big packages can save money, but only if you can use the food before it spoils.

If needed:

  • Split large packages with a friend.
  • Share produce boxes with family or neighbors.
woman cradles a baby in her arms while looking

resources Resources to Help

SAVETHEFOOD.COM

Check out savethefood.com, a website from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) that can help you reduce food waste at home. It shares simple tips on planning meals, shopping smarter, storing food so it stays fresh longer, and using leftovers and extra ingredients to prevent food from being wasted. It also offers tools like meal planning help and food storage ideas to save money and cut down on waste.

ANYLIST

Download the free AnyList app to create an organized grocery list for stress-free shopping, cooking, and meal planning. The app allows you to collect and organize recipes, plan your shopping, and more!

remeber hand Remember

1

Plan meals before shopping.

2

Buy only what you can store and use.

3

Store food safely.

4

Use leftovers in new ways.

With a little planning, you can waste less food, help save money, and make your WIC foods go further.

woman and a child examine fresh fruit inside

REFERENCES:

AnyList. (2026). AnyList App.
https://www.anylist.com/

Natural Resources Defense Council. (2026). Save the Food.
https://www.savethefood.com

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2025, December 5). Preventing Food Waste At Home.
https://www.epa.gov/recycle/preventing-wasted-food-home

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). (2026). Food Waste FAQs.
https://www.usda.gov/foodwaste/faqs

USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. (2020, July 31). Leftovers and Food Safety.
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/leftovers-and-food-safety

Author: Bridget Swinney, MS, RDN, LD