November 2023: Your Turkey Belongs on Your Plate, Not in the Trash!

Thanksgiving is a beloved American holiday and a time where families across New Hampshire can gather together to share in each other’s company, merriment and – of course – food! While we all love sharing a feast at the dinner table, many Americans don’t realize how much of this food eventually ends up in the trash. It’s estimated that 300 million pounds of food are wasted during the Thanksgiving festivities every year. Not only is throwing away food a waste of precious resources, but it also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions when food rots in the landfill. So, what can you do this Thanksgiving season to enjoy your food while also not contributing to food waste?

Plan, Plan, Plan!
One way to prevent your food from ending up in the garbage is by planning ahead. If you’re hosting, it’s important to get a headcount of your guest list and plan portions accordingly. You can also coordinate with any guests wishing to bring a dish of their own. After all, there’s no need to have duplicates of stuffing or mashed potatoes if they won’t all be eaten at the meal!

Another consideration in planning your serving size is the amount of leftovers you want afterwards. Whether you can’t get enough turkey or you get tired of Thanksgiving leftovers by Black Friday, planning out your leftovers helps to determine how much food you should be serving. One resource that can help you plan how much food to buy based on these considerations is an online food calculator, such as the Omni Thanksgiving Calculator. This way, you can make sure to have enough food to feed the family without throwing out the unwanted Thanksgiving leftovers!

While grocery shopping for your food, it’s also helpful to write a list … and actually stick to it! That way, you can avoid any impulse buys that might result in wasting more food. Planning out your guest list, serving size, groceries and leftovers can all go a long way in reducing food waste.

Creativity in the Kitchen
After finishing your feast on the table, you might still have leftovers – either deliberately or accidentally – despite planning out the meal. While some of us might enjoy the classic turkey sandwich, there are also many ways to utilize leftover ingredients for those who may be tired of the same meals. Whether you’re craving turkey soup, turkey pot pie or turkey and waffles, there are an abundance of recipes that you can try out to reduce the amount you’re wasting. Here are some creative recipes that you can check out for your Thanksgiving leftovers! The next time you are tempted to toss out that leftover turkey, make sure you get creative in the kitchen to reduce the impact of your waste!

Save Them for Later
Another great way to reduce the amount of food you’re tossing out is to freeze your leftovers. This helps preserve the food for much longer and allows you to heat up your leftovers whenever you like. Freezing your extra food also provides you with an easy option for dinner when you might not feel like cooking. Instead of laboring over dinner after a long day, just reach into your freezer and take out those Thanksgiving leftovers for a delicious and convenient meal. Not only does freezing your food reduce the amount of food you’re throwing out, but it also helps you with preparing a meal in the future!

Sharing is Caring
If you know you can’t eat all those leftovers, share with family and friends. After your feast, you can offer to split leftovers with others and send your guests home with a meal for later. Aside from loved ones, you can also donate to those in need and who might not be as fortunate to have Thanksgiving leftovers. Check with your local food bank or soup kitchen to donate food to others in your community. Sharing with others is a great way to show appreciation and gratitude during the holiday while also considering the environmental impact of your food waste.

Bad Food Isn’t Garbage!
What happens when your food is starting to get bad, or your leftover green beans are looking a little sad? Even when your food starts growing old, there are still alternative ways to use up your leftovers before you turn to the trash. Composting is a great way to use up your food scraps and transform your waste into rich soil for your garden. Make sure to compost with care and to toss only organic materials, like fruits and veggies, into the compost pile. You can also look into local composting facilities, such as composting collections or drop-offs. Check out the EPA’s Food Opportunities Map to see if your community has composting opportunities near you. Before dumping your food in the trash, make sure to reduce as much waste as possible and compost what you can. After all, “bad” food isn’t always garbage!

Make Sure to Show the Environment Thanks
While you’re reflecting on your blessings and what you’re thankful for, remember to show Mother Nature your gratitude by practicing sustainable habits during the holidays. Even making small steps to reduce your food waste can go a long way in respecting the environment and helping limit the harm that comes from the holiday season. We hope that you have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving and that you remember to appreciate the environment through taking sustainable steps!