How can we reduce the food waste during the holidays? Here are five easy steps that are good for you and the environment.

In this way, you will save money, time and minimize the food waste. If you know what you want to cook and for how many people, you will buy only the products you need for your menu.

Check if all the guests on your list will be able to come. This is important if you have planned a large family gathering and you intend to prepare a variety of dishes to satisfy the different tastes of your guests.

Will you have enough space in the fridge? Do you plan to encourage your guests to take leftovers home? Try to use it rationally. Food storage is of key importance when it comes to leftovers. Make sure that you have enough reusable containers available to store the food properly so that it would be good the next day or even two days later.

Don't try to cook everything yourself. It will be easier for you and you will generate less waste if you share the responsibilities of the holiday menu with your guests. Let each of the guests bring something - it can be a salad, a dessert, a side dish or something else. Inform them about the number of the guests so they would know how much to bring. What is left from the festive table, the guests can take home.

If you have overdone with the amount of food, donate the excess food to people in need. Everything you cannot donate, put it in your compost bin. This is the way to put leftover food into good use. The compost will help you grow your next crop of fresh vegetables, spices and fruit.

Think before preparing the next festive meal - shop practically and use resources rationally.

Source: Vbox7.com