Minimizing Food Waste this Fourth of July

With the Fourth of July approaching, we thought it could be helpful for us to share some simple & easy tips to avoid food waste! The Fourth is a holiday that is known for get togethers and cookouts-- but with just a little planning and intention, it can also be one that doesn’t generate a ton of food waste! Here are some easy ways to minimize your waste this year:

Try not to overbuy. Ask your guests RSVP so you know how many people to expect and buy accordingly. A little planning ahead of time will go a long way, so be sure to have a menu prepared and a list in-hand before going to the store.

Serve smaller portions. People often take more than they can eat - our eyes can be bigger than our stomachs! If you serve smaller portions, it’s less likely that your guests will throw away food left on their plate. They can always come back for seconds if they want more.

Save leftovers. Be sure to buy things you and your household eat to ensure the leftovers don’t go to waste. If you have more leftovers than you will eat, offer guests to take some home, or drop off some to a neighbor or friend.

Compost! Rather than throwing your food scraps in the garbage, set out a separate container or bucket right next to the trash that is designated for composting. Create some simple signage explaining to your guests what the container is for, and make sure to let folks know to separate out their food waste. Once the day is over, consider using a composting service to easily remove the food waste, or give backyard composting a try if you have the space! And of course, this applies to all food scraps, not just ones from a holiday celebration!

From the entire Demi Team, wishing everyone a very happy & relaxing Fourth of July! We hope these tips help, and feel free to drop more tips in the comments!