Take the Food Recovery Challenge

Did you know that roughly 37 million tons of food was wasted in the United States in 2013, and that 95 percent of this material was thrown away? Through the Food Recovery Challenge, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is partnering with organizations and businesses in order to prevent and reduce wasted food and encouraging consumers to reduce their waste as well. By participating in the Food Recovery Challenge, you can save money, protect the environment and help your community by purchasing less, donating your extra food, and composting.

If your business or organization is looking to reduce wasted food through prevention, donation, or composting, consider becoming an official Food Recovery Challenge program participant. Program participants receive free technical assistance and a listing on the national EPA participant page. For more information and to join this challenge, visit epa.gov/foodrecoverychallenge/.

There are many ways that individuals can participate in the Food Recovery Challenge. Here are some quick tips on how to reduce wasted food in your home:

þ  Shop your refrigerator first! Cook or eat what you already have at home before buying more.

þ  Plan your menu before you go shopping and buy only those things on your menu.

þ  Buy only what you realistically need and will use. Buying in bulk only saves money if you are able to use the food before it spoils.

þ  If safe and healthy to do so, use the edible parts of food that you normally do not eat. For example, stale bread can be used to make croutons, beet tops can be sautéed for a delicious side dish, and vegetable scraps can be made into stock.

þ  Find out how to store fruits and vegetables so they stay fresh longer inside or outside your refrigerator.

þ  Freeze, preserve, or can your surplus fruits and vegetables - especially abundant seasonal produce.

þ  Compost food scraps rather than throwing them away. Simply sign up for the Denver Composts program (if your home is eligible) or learn how to compost in your own back yard by taking a free Learn to Compostclass, offered May through October. Visit DenverGov.org/DenverRecycles or call 311 (720-913-1311) to learn more about both compost options. 

þ  Donate nutritious, safe, and untouched food to food banks to help those in need.

þ  At restaurants, order only what you can finish by asking about portion sizes and being aware of side dishes included with entrees. Take any leftovers home with you and eat them as part of your next meal.

Reducing wasted food will save you money, reduce methane emissions and lower your carbon footprint, conserve energy and resources, and support your community.  Visit the EPA at epa.gov/foodrecoverychallenge/  for more information on how to start reducing your waste today!