Joyful Gatherings, Mindful Plates: 9 Ways to Prevent Food Waste at Any Celebration
Celebrations bring people together, and food is often at the heart of it. We plan carefully, cook generously, and fill our tables with abundance to make everyone feel welcome.
But when the celebration ends, it’s easy for leftovers to pile up and good food to go to waste, replacing our spirit of generosity with a pang of guilt. Extend the joy of the celebration and help prevent waste with these nine helpful tips.
- Map out your meals.
Think beyond one big dinner. Plan what you’ll serve for breakfasts, snacks, and dinners the days before and after your event. Include leftovers in your meal planning and look for ways to use overlapping ingredients such as herbs, sauces, grains, or veggies. Read More: Holiday Planning Tips. - Share the menu.
When planning a potluck, use a group chat or shared list to coordinate dishes to avoid duplicates, balance the menu, and give everyone a chance to contribute something meaningful. - Redefine abundance.
A generous table doesn’t have to be an overloaded one. Use our Food Portion Planner to gauge how much food to prepare. Right-sizing your portions means everyone leaves happy and satisfied without leaving you to juggle too many leftovers. And remember, the more dishes you plan to serve, the less of each dish you need to prepare. - Anticipate leftovers.
Before guests arrive, clear space in your fridge and freezer, gather reusable containers, or set out jars and lids. A little prep makes it easier to store leftovers safely and share them later.
5. Serve smart.
Serve smaller portions and refill as needed to keep food fresh and inviting. Keep sauces and dressings on the side so leftovers last longer.
- Encourage “Bring Some, Take Some.”
Invite guests to bring containers or jars so they can take home a share of the feast. It is a wonderful way to continue the celebration and make sure nothing delicious goes to waste. - Store Smart.
Most leftovers last three to four days in the fridge. Eat the most perishable first and freeze what you can’t eat within that timeframe. For ease of use later, use small, portion sized containers and date and label them. Read More: Shelf-Life Guide. - Reinvent leftovers
Don’t just reheat your leftovers – give them new life by turning them into something different.
- Beans & Cheese – Leftover Quesadilla
- Poultry – Leftover Pot Pie
- Mashed potatoes – Potato Kofta (Vegetarian Meatballs)
- Roasted vegetables – Leftover Vegetable Quiche Cups
- Buns or Bread – Bread Pudding Stuffed Squash
- Get creative with scraps.
Small bits can add up to big flavour and less waste. Try some of these scrappy, crumby recipes.
- Crispy Veggie Peel Chips
- Veggie Scrap Soup Stock
- Fruit Scrap Vinegar
- Fried Bread Crumbs
- Cookie Crumb Pie Crust
We’d love to see how you make your celebrations food waste–free! Share your favourite leftover transformations or planning tips by tagging @lovefoodhatewasteca on Instagram or Facebook.
