When most people hear “food waste,” grocery stores and restaurants usually come to mind. With this image in our heads, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by our supposed inability as individuals to make a difference. However, there are things that we can do to take action ourselves, namely decreasing personal waste. Something as simple as planning your meals ahead of time can help you to remain reasonable in how much food you buy and cook. When your leftovers have been in the fridge for a day too long, you can freeze them for several months at a time and eat them later.

Additionally, education goes a long way. Spreading awareness of food waste helps to combat ignorance and misconceptions, leading to more conscientious consumers.

I agree with the author that focusing on reducing personal waste will go a long way. It makes a greater concrete impact for me to monitor my waste habits and take corrective action, rather than spending time and energy fretting about things that I can’t always change (other people, big companies, etc.).

Berliner, Rachel. “Reducing Food Insecurity Without Increasing Food Waste.” The Environmental Magazine, 21 Jan. 2026. https://emagazine.com/reducing-food-insecurity-without-increasing-food-waste/. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026