Grades 8-12
Tutorial 2. Zero waste grocery shopping
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In Tutorial 1 you read about habits you can change to help your family make use of the food in your home so it doesn’t go to waste. Those tips are great for the food you already have, but there are also actions you can take when your family shops for groceries to keep from buying extra food. Not only will you prevent wasted food from potentially going to the landfill, but your family will also save money by purchasing only what they need.
Preparing for your shopping trip may be the most important thing you can do to wipe out food waste. You can’t waste what you don’t buy.
If you are not the primary food shopper, discuss the tips below with the person in your household who is in charge of shopping. You can help them plan for waste-free grocery shopping. |
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Zero waste shopping tips
Read the five tips below with the adult in your household does the grocery shopping.
Read the five tips below with the adult in your household does the grocery shopping.
Tip #1: Stick to a list
Making a shopping list BEFORE you go to the store keeps your food purchases focused and in check. If you’re shopping for the week, think about all the meals you are going to prepare and check the fridge and pantry to take stock of your staples, like bread and milk. Keep in mind that some items can be used for multiple meals. Weekly ads that grocers put out can direct you to what is in season and at a cheaper price, which can be a great resource for your weekly meal planning. Make a list of what you need to buy before you head to the store and stick to it.
Tip #2: Shop with a full belly
Believe it or not, people who grocery shop on an empty stomach are more likely to overbuy food because they are hungry. This is an easy fix. Have a snack before heading to the store. That will keep those impulse buys to a minimum and keep you on track with your shopping list as well as your food budget.
Tip #3: Buy local
Out-of-season produce, by definition, must come from another region that does have the season or climate to grow them. Oftentimes those regions can be across the globe. If we want to do our best to combat climate change, shop for locally-grown produce to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions due to transporting food great distances. In addition, locally-grown produce tends to be cheaper, tastes better, is fresher and keeps longer because it doesn’t have to travel very far. Most grocery stores carry in-season, locally-grown produce. Another great idea is to visit Main Street’s Farmers Market next to City Hall or sign-up for a local community supported agriculture (CSA) box stocked with in-season produce.
Tip #4: Keepin’ it fresh
Nobody likes their strawberries to go bad before they have a chance to eat them. A good way to avoid this is to buy perishable foods such as produce and dairy in smaller quantities. Some perishables like meat and fruit can also be stored in the freezer before they go bad.
Tip #5: Check the date
It’s always a good idea to check the expiration date on the package and select for the one that has the latest date, giving you a few extra days of peak freshness. Grocers usually put the later expiration dates toward the back of the shelf. Conversely, if you know you will eat an item right away, you’ll do everyone a favor if you grab the item with the earliest expiration date. This way, the store won’t have to dispose of it if everyone else picks the fresher version. Learn more about expiration date labels.
Making a shopping list BEFORE you go to the store keeps your food purchases focused and in check. If you’re shopping for the week, think about all the meals you are going to prepare and check the fridge and pantry to take stock of your staples, like bread and milk. Keep in mind that some items can be used for multiple meals. Weekly ads that grocers put out can direct you to what is in season and at a cheaper price, which can be a great resource for your weekly meal planning. Make a list of what you need to buy before you head to the store and stick to it.
Tip #2: Shop with a full belly
Believe it or not, people who grocery shop on an empty stomach are more likely to overbuy food because they are hungry. This is an easy fix. Have a snack before heading to the store. That will keep those impulse buys to a minimum and keep you on track with your shopping list as well as your food budget.
Tip #3: Buy local
Out-of-season produce, by definition, must come from another region that does have the season or climate to grow them. Oftentimes those regions can be across the globe. If we want to do our best to combat climate change, shop for locally-grown produce to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions due to transporting food great distances. In addition, locally-grown produce tends to be cheaper, tastes better, is fresher and keeps longer because it doesn’t have to travel very far. Most grocery stores carry in-season, locally-grown produce. Another great idea is to visit Main Street’s Farmers Market next to City Hall or sign-up for a local community supported agriculture (CSA) box stocked with in-season produce.
Tip #4: Keepin’ it fresh
Nobody likes their strawberries to go bad before they have a chance to eat them. A good way to avoid this is to buy perishable foods such as produce and dairy in smaller quantities. Some perishables like meat and fruit can also be stored in the freezer before they go bad.
Tip #5: Check the date
It’s always a good idea to check the expiration date on the package and select for the one that has the latest date, giving you a few extra days of peak freshness. Grocers usually put the later expiration dates toward the back of the shelf. Conversely, if you know you will eat an item right away, you’ll do everyone a favor if you grab the item with the earliest expiration date. This way, the store won’t have to dispose of it if everyone else picks the fresher version. Learn more about expiration date labels.
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Zero waste means zero waste
When shopping for your groceries, it's important to remember to reduce all types of waste. One common type of waste found at grocery stores are the single-use grocery bags. Single-use means that it’s only meant to be used once and then recycled or thrown away. If you completed the Recycle Right activities, you already know that reusing items is better for the planet. Help your family remember to bring your reusable bags when shopping, whether you’re at the grocery store or local farmer’s market. Restaurants are another place where you can reduce food waste AND single-use containers. You can help restaurants reduce their waste by:
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Due to safety concerns during the global pandemic, many grocery stores are not allowing reusable bags into their stores, but that doesn’t mean you have to bag your groceries in single-use bags. Have your groceries reloaded into your cart and pack them into your reusable bags at your car. |
Tutorial Challenge
- Discuss the Zero Waste Shopping Tips above with the person in your household that does most of the food shopping. Which of these practices does he or she already do? Which ones is he or she willing to try? Commit to trying out one tip for an entire month. This useful weekly meal planning template can help in making grocery lists.
- Take an inventory on all the items in your kitchen using this template. Write down the item, quantity, and "use by" date. Use this list as a guide to help you decide when items should be eaten. Remember there are exceptions to the “use by” date. Learn more. If you find rotten fruits and veggies in your fridge, move them to the freezer. You can use these later in these tutorials.
