If you want to save nearly three-thousand-dollars a year; waste less food.  An average family wastes $2,900 a year on food they throw away, and much of that can be prevented.  Jerin Dinkins, a Food Systems Specialist at the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, suggests starting with leftovers.

 

"You can get really creative with your leftovers.  Turn something into a soup, turn it into an omelet...that's one of my favorite things to do in the morning is use leftovers in an omelet."

 

She noted that 38% of food in the U.S. is wasted and 70% of that food was edible.  Dinkins said it's an easy problem to solve with steps like not buying too much food at one time.

 

"It's these simple, simple steps like meal planning, smart storage and using leftovers. The great thing is you can start making a difference as early as your next meal." 

 

You’ll find more tips on-line at Don'tLetGoodFoodGoBad.org.

 

By the way, this is national Food Waste Prevention Week.

 

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com 

More From PNW Ag Network