As we head into the holiday season, this is a reminder to minimize food waste by making the most of your leftovers! It was estimated that 312 million pounds of food were wasted from Thanksgiving meals in 2023, enough to feed several meals to over 40 million people facing food insecurity across the U.S. Here in Hawaiʻi, an estimated 237,000 tons of food waste is thrown away annually, which is 26% of the available food supply.
Wasting food also squanders all of the resources that went into producing it — including water, labor, land, and money — and can pollute our ocean if waste ends up on our roadways and in our storm drains due to improper disposal, unsecured debris, or overflowing landfills and rubbish cans. To make the most out of your meals, try these simple tips:
Give Your Meal a Makeover
Get creative with your leftovers! Think beyond reheating to imagine a whole new dish. Got leftover turkey, chicken, or steak? Try turning them into tasty tacos or quesadillas. Extra mashed potatoes can be used to make shepherd’s pie. Even extra cranberry sauce can become fluffy muffins or salad dressing.
Looking for some local inspiration for your leftovers? Try turkey jook or a veggie stir fry! Check out our Zero Waste Cooking blog for recipes and more inspiration.
These are some simple examples, but the possibilities are endless!
Prepare for Incoming Food
Ensuring you have the space to store any leftovers is half the battle. Always keep containers and resealable bags on hand, and don’t forget to empty out your fridge before a big meal. This will save you the headache of trying to find space with everything sprawled out on the kitchen counter.
Share Your Leftovers
Share the wealth! If you have extra leftovers that you’re unsure you can use before they spoil, consider giving them to friends, family members, or others in need. Many would appreciate it!
Food waste is a huge issue, but it doesn’t have to be! While you’re enjoying the holidays this year, be mindful. The best way to avoid throwing food away is to cook just enough to feed yourself and your guests. If you do end up with some extras , no worries! There are lots of great ways to put your leftovers to use. Got any more tips or fun leftover recipes? Share them with us on Facebook and Instagram by tagging @stormwaterhawaii.
Sources: Iowa State University, ReFED, 5 Food Waste Tips for the Holidays
