CLEAN LIVING WITH DANNY

A question, a recipe and a new product pick from environmental lifestyle pro Danny Seo, a leading expert on modern, eco-friendly food, entertaining and more

KNOW

Q: How can I prevent food waste at home?

It’s estimated that every year, the average household spends $370 per person on food that goes to waste. Here’s how to cut waste— and save money.

First, when buying produce that needs to be stored at room temperature (like potatoes, onions, tomatoes and bananas), take the food out of the packaging it comes in when you store it. These types of produce need air to circulate around them to prevent them from ripening too quickly. A ripening gas called ethylene can build up in packaging (even if it’s perforated) and create food spoilage much more quickly.

You may also want to invest in reusable, small flat containers with matching lids and divide your leftovers into smaller containers. This will help the food cool down faster and prevent bacteria spores from germinating more than if the food is stored in one large container. This not only helps with portion control, but it also means family members can opt to reheat one container instead of an entire batch of food.