Every year, millions of tons of edible food end up in the trash. Beyond being an economic loss, food waste has significant environmental impacts. In Quebec alone, nearly 40% of edible food is lost or wasted annually!
The good news is that small efforts can make a big difference. With a few simple habits, you can significantly reduce food waste in your daily life. Here are six practical tips to help you get started.
1. Plan Your Meals in Advance
Planning your meals for the week helps avoid impulse purchases and allows you to adjust portions to your actual needs. Consider:
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The number of meals and snacks to prepare,
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The number of people at the table,
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Each person's appetite.
Tip: Double the portions and take some for lunch! This prevents small leftovers that often get forgotten at the back of the fridge. Also, try recipes with seasonal ingredients to enjoy the fruits and vegetables of the moment.
2. Check Expiry Dates and Food Condition When Shopping
A good habit starts at the grocery store! Always check the expiry dates or preparation dates on fresh products, especially meat, fish, and dairy, which often have shorter shelf lives.
For fruits and vegetables, observe their general condition: color, texture, and smell. You can also plan your meals based on the shelf life of each item. For example, cook your spinach earlier in the week and save the cauliflower for later.
Some grocery stores offer products close to their expiry date at reduced prices. This is a great way to save money while fighting food waste. Just be sure to buy in small quantities and consume them the same day or the next (depending on the expiry date). Alternatively, you can freeze them upon returning home and eat them later.
3. Prepare the Right Quantities
Another anti-waste tip is to prepare just what you need for your meals. Overcooking is one of the main causes of food waste.
For example, plan for about 60 to 80 grams of dry pasta per person or 100 to 120 grams of meat or fish per serving. Also, consider side dishes: if your meal includes bread or a salad, slightly reduce the main portions. Being mindful of portion sizes will help avoid unused leftovers and better distribute your meals throughout the week.
4. Organize Your Fridge Like a Pro
Did you know that each area of your refrigerator offers different storage conditions? To maximize freshness and reduce waste:
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Store dairy products and eggs in the coldest part of the fridge.
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Keep fruits and vegetables in the designated crisper drawers.
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Place raw meats on the bottom shelf to prevent drips onto other foods.
Regularly check your fridge and use FIFO (First In, First Out) to ensure older items are used first.
5. Use Leftovers Creatively
Transforming leftovers into new meals is a great way to reduce waste. For example:
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Turn roasted vegetables into soups or stews,
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Use stale bread for croutons or breadcrumbs,
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Repurpose cooked meats into sandwiches or salads.
Get creative with your leftovers to create new and exciting dishes.
6. Compost When Possible
If you do have food scraps, composting is an eco-friendly way to dispose of them. Composting reduces landfill waste and provides nutrient-rich soil for your garden.
Check with your local municipality for composting programs or consider starting your own compost bin at home.
Tools to Help You Reduce Food Waste
You now know our tips and tricks to avoid wasting precious food. If you’d like to go even further and build better daily habits, here are a few resources to guide you:
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J’aime manger, pas gaspiller: This platform offers a wide range of practical tips and advice to help you better manage your food.
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Too Good To Go: This food waste–fighting app connects businesses with consumers to sell unsold items at reduced prices—a great way to save money while supporting the fight against waste!
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Moisson Montréal: This organization helps thousands of people in need while reducing food waste through food recovery and distribution. You can support their mission by donating or volunteering your time.
Cool&Simple: Partner in Sustainable Eating
Along with offering a wide selection of premium frozen foods, Cool&Simple is also committed to reducing waste! We’ve proudly achieved the ambitious goal of cutting our food waste by 100%.
As a pioneer partner of Too Good To Go Montréal, we contribute hundreds of surprise meal baskets each year.
Discover our full range of top-quality frozen meals to complete your grocery list and bring fresh flavours to your table—made simple!