Forty percent of all food produced in America is discarded and 20 percent of all food bought is never eaten.

The effects of food waste are staggering – on the economy, it equates to about $218 billion of food lost each year; on the environment, food waste is the number one component found in America’s landfills; and on American families, each of us tosses approximately 300 pounds of food a year, adding up to as much as $2,200 worth of uneaten food that a family of four throws away.

Tips for Reducing Waste over the Holidays

• Be realistic: The fear of not providing enough to eat often causes hosts to cook too much. Instead, plan out how much food you and your guests will realistically need, and shop accordingly.
• Plan ahead: Plan your menu and create a shopping list before going to the grocery store to avoid impulse buys or buying unnecessary quantities that may not be used right away and go to waste.
• Know portion sizes: If turkey is on your menu, allow 1 pound of uncooked turkey per person from an 8 to 12 pound turkey. Larger birds have a larger proportion of meat to bones, so ¾ pound per person should be sufficient (and you will have leftovers).
• Plan for leftovers: Cook creatively and repurpose food into other meals for less waste after the holiday. Check out recipes like Easy Leftover Turkey Pot Pie on EasyHomeMeals.com.

During this holiday season, try being more conscious about what you’re buying, cooking and eating. All of us making mindful decisions to reduce food waste can have a significant impact on our environment for the future.

Tips for Reducing Waste over the Holidays

• Be realistic: The fear of not providing enough to eat often causes hosts to cook too much. Instead, plan out how much food you and your guests will realistically need, and shop accordingly.
• Plan ahead: Plan your menu and create a shopping list before going to the grocery store to avoid impulse buys or buying unnecessary quantities that may not be used right away and go to waste.
• Know portion sizes: If turkey is on your menu, allow 1 pound of uncooked turkey per person from an 8 to 12 pound turkey. Larger birds have a larger proportion of meat to bones, so ¾ pound per person should be sufficient (and you will have leftovers).
• Plan for leftovers: Cook creatively and repurpose food into other meals for less waste after the holiday. Check out recipes like Easy Leftover Turkey Pot Pie on EasyHomeMeals.com.

During this holiday season, try being more conscious about what you’re buying, cooking and eating. All of us making mindful decisions to reduce food waste can have a significant impact on our environment for the future.