Did you know that nearly 40% of food in the U.S. goes to waste? That’s not just a big hit to your grocery bill—it also has a huge impact on the environment. This April 24, we’re celebrating Stop Food Waste Day by sharing simple, family-friendly activities to help you use more of the food you buy and toss less in the trash.
Whether you have toddlers, tweens, or teens, these tips and ideas will make it easy (and even fun!) to reduce waste together as a family.
🍎 1. Play a “Fridge Treasure Hunt”
Make it fun: Set a timer and let the kids help you “hunt” for ingredients that are about to expire.
What to do with the finds:
- Toss soft berries into smoothies
- Turn leftover veggies into stir-fry or soup
- Use stale bread for croutons or French toast
👉 Tip: Keep a basket labeled “Eat Me First” in your fridge for aging produce and snacks.
🥕 2. Get Creative with Food Scraps
Teach kids that “trash” food can still be treasure.
Ideas to try:
- Carrot tops: Make a pesto
- Potato peels: Bake into crispy chips
- Overripe bananas: Freeze for smoothies or banana bread
- Apple cores & peels: Boil into homemade apple syrup
🎨 Bonus: Turn it into a cooking challenge—who can make the best “scrap snack”?
📆 3. Make a Weekly Meal Plan (Together)
Include your kids in meal planning. They’ll love having a say in the menu, and it helps everyone use up what’s already at home.
Steps to try:
- Check what’s already in your fridge/pantry
- Plan meals that use up similar ingredients (e.g., taco night + burrito bowls)
- Schedule a “Leftover Buffet” night every week
🛒 Shopping tip: Stick to your list to avoid overbuying.
🧁 4. Cook Together and Portion Smartly
Getting kids in the kitchen helps them learn what goes into a meal—and how not to waste it.
Ideas:
- Teach older kids how to portion meals (start small, go back for more)
- Let younger kids help stir, measure, or wash veggies
- Store extras in clear containers so they’re easy to see and grab
🪴 5. Start a Compost Jar or Bin
Even with our best efforts, some scraps will be left. Composting is a great way to teach kids about sustainability and science.
Start small:
- Keep a container on your counter or under the sink for food scraps
- Research together what can (and can’t) be composted
- Use the compost in your garden or potted plants!
🌱 Don’t have a backyard? Look for local drop-off programs or composting services.
❤️ Make It a Family Tradition
Use Stop Food Waste Day to kick off a family goal—track how much food you save in a week or month. Celebrate milestones together with a picnic made from rescued leftovers!
Small changes add up—especially when done together. This Stop Food Waste Day, let’s teach our kids that every bite counts. 🌍💚
Do you have your own food-saving tips or go-to recipes for scraps? Share them in the comments!
