Food waste remains a significant issue—especially here in Oregon. Nearly one-third of all food in the U.S. ends up unsold or uneaten, and households shoulder much of that loss. Recent estimates show that the average cost of food waste per person is around $728 a year, adding up to approximately $2,900 annually for a family of four. That represents over 11% of a household’s food spending.
In Oregon specifically, food waste hits home—literally. A household here discards, on average, 6.3 pounds of food per week, with about 4.9 pounds of that being edible at one time. That’s nearly 2.3 pounds per person per week of food that could have been eaten.
Financially, the problem is stark: Oregon families lose approximately $1,600 each year to spoiled food. In recent accounts, some estimates go even higher, suggesting Oregon households may effectively be wasting closer to $2,900 a year—numbers that align closely with national figures. That’s like slipping a $1,600—or even $2,900—bill into the trash annually.
Beyond the cost, food waste has serious environmental impacts. Food tossed into landfills rots and produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Reducing waste is one of the most practical, impactful steps families can take for both the planet and their budget.
Smart, Simple Ways to Curb Food Waste
1. Plan Meals Ahead
Create a weekly meal plan and stick to a precise grocery list. Planning stops impulse buys and ensures you only buy what your family will actually eat.
2. Be Cautious with Buying in Bulk
Bulk purchases may appear budget-friendly, but only if you’re certain you’ll consume everything in time. Spoiled bulk food is just expensive waste.
3. Designate a “Use-It-Up” Night
Pick one night each week to turn leftovers and food scraps into delicious meals—soups, casseroles, stir-fries, or wraps can turn odds and ends into dinner.
4. Get Creative with Scraps
Repurpose overripe bananas into bread, stale bread into pudding, bruised apples into applesauce, or veggies into frittatas. A little creativity goes a long way.
5. Serve Smaller Portions
Start with modest servings—there’s always room for seconds. Pack leftover bites for tomorrow instead of tossing them.
6. Check Before Shopping
Take stock of your fridge, pantry, and freezer before heading out to avoid buying items you already have on hand.
7. Compost the Rest
Inevitably, some food does go bad. Instead of trashing it, compost it. Compost enriches soil and keeps methane-generating waste out of landfills.
8. Store Food Properly
Store ethylene-producing items (like bananas, pears, tomatoes) separately from ethylene-sensitive foods (like berries and leafy greens). Proper storage prolongs freshness and prevents premature spoilage.
The Bigger Picture
For the average family, wasted food adds up to thousands of dollars a year. On a national scale, it’s billions of dollars in lost resources and meals. But the solution starts small—planning better, cooking smarter, and storing food properly.
By making a few mindful changes, families can stretch their grocery budgets, build better habits, and do their part to reduce the environmental impact of wasted food.
Emily currently lives in Orange County, California after spending four years in Illinois and half a year teaching in Florence, Italy. She holds a B.A. in English Literature from Knox College and an M.A. in Counseling from the University of San Diego and has taught English to native speakers and ESL students for over three years. When she’s not working as a School Counselor or writing, she enjoys traveling the world, playing instruments, and blogging about Millennial experiences at Long Live the Twenties.