Rethink Food Waste: Shop Smarter and technology

The age of technology means we have an utterly overwhelming supply of information at our fingertips. Sometimes it’s a bane, but often a blessing! I just found some food on the verge of going bad that needs to be used tonight. What should I do?

5 ways to reduce food waste with technology:

1. Make a list! Whether it’s with pen and paper (tape it to the fridge!) or with an app. A list of what you need but also a list of what you have in the fridge and freezer.
2. Use a menu planning app.
   –There are a billion of them out there. I’ve heard great things about Evernote, which is good for your lists, note-taking, and meal planning. Do you have one that you like?
3. Check out these search engines you can use for specific ingredients:
   –Meal Hero’s Fridge to Table
   –Recipe Lab’s Recipe Puppy
4. Here are 8 things to do with leftover herbs
5. Use the internet to search for things to do with scraps — or things you might not have known were edible! Like the leaves from cauliflower leaves or cilantro stems. Check out this section of Save the food.com.

Did you know Alexa can help you with food waste? And other technologies, too.

• Alexa has been programed to help you remember what’s in your fridge. If you use this device, it’s worth looking in to how to use this function! But it’s pretty interesting to know about, even if you don’t have it.
• Check out this list of crazy new technologies that are also helping folks reduce food waste!
• Holy moly– I also just heard of a blue tooth refrigerator that will take a photo of the inside of your fridge and send it to you while you are at the grocery store! Too much?