Simple Steps

Think Ahead

If the first rule of grocery shopping is to avoid going while hungry, the second rule is to always shop with a plan. Before heading out, consider the meals you will make over the next few weeks, as well as creative uses for leftovers (a roast chicken dinner can be transformed into chicken salad for lunch!). The more intelligently you purchase, the less often you’ll have to shop (which saves energy) and the less food you’ll waste (which saves money).

Buy in Bulk

The grab-and-go convenience of individually wrapped items is undeniably tempting, but when you choose bulk, you’re choosing less waste -- and, most often, saving money. When possible, buy bigger. This means buying the jumbo yogurt container, the big roll of paper towels and the family-size jar of applesauce. You can transfer smaller portions of food to reusable containers for lunches and picnics.

Befriend the Farmer

Eating locally is better for the environment: Less fossil fuel is used to transport the food from point A to point B. And the best way to eat locally is to purchase food from a farm near you. You can purchase a share in a CSA -- short for Community Supported Agriculture -- which will deliver local, seasonal food to you each week. Or you can frequent a farmers’ market near you (visit LocalHarvest.org to find a market in your hometown). 

Consider the Container

Before dropping an item in your cart, check out how it’s packaged. Metal and glass are sometimes easier to recycle than plastic, but you should also think about how it can be used once it’s empty. Turn glass jars into vases or drinking glasses and empty detergent bottles into scoops for the garden.