handle meals waste for a greener future inspider – handle meals waste for a greener future evokes us all to take motion. From farm to fork, meals waste contributes considerably to environmental issues. This information delves into the assorted levels of meals waste, providing sensible methods to reduce it at dwelling and in eating places. We’ll discover progressive options, sustainable practices, and the significance of training and consciousness in making a extra environmentally pleasant meals system.
We’ll discover the science behind meals waste, from the preliminary manufacturing to the ultimate disposal. This is not nearly saving cash; it is about decreasing our affect on the planet. Uncover how easy adjustments in our habits can have a huge effect on the surroundings, selling a sustainable way of life and a greener future.
Understanding Meals Waste
Meals waste, a pervasive concern throughout the globe, represents a major environmental problem. From the fields the place crops are grown to the plates the place meals are consumed, meals waste happens at varied levels. Understanding the multifaceted nature of this drawback is essential for creating efficient options.Meals waste encompasses a broad spectrum of eventualities. It is not merely discarded leftovers; it encompasses edible meals that’s discarded on account of aesthetic imperfections, spoilage, or logistical points, in addition to inedible packaging and byproducts.
The environmental affect of this seemingly trivial act is profound.
Definition of Meals Waste
Meals waste encompasses any meals that isn’t consumed and is discarded at any level alongside the meals provide chain, from farm to fork. This consists of vegetables and fruit which are rejected on account of dimension or look, extra meals produced by eating places and households, and merchandise which are previous their sell-by dates however nonetheless fit for human consumption. The definition extends past edible elements to incorporate inedible packaging supplies and agricultural byproducts.
Environmental Affect of Meals Waste
Meals waste contributes considerably to greenhouse fuel emissions. Decomposition of meals waste in landfills releases methane, a potent greenhouse fuel. This course of consumes useful sources, together with water and land. Moreover, the manufacturing and transportation of meals that in the end goes to waste characterize a useless expenditure of sources, contributing to environmental degradation. The environmental value is appreciable, and the implications for sustainability are profound.
Examples of Meals Waste All through the Meals Provide Chain
- Farm Stage: Overproduction of vegetables and fruit that don’t meet market requirements on account of form, dimension, or look. These are sometimes discarded or composted. This can be a vital contributor to meals waste on the supply.
- Processing and Distribution: Imperfectly formed vegetables and fruit, or these barely bruised, are sometimes rejected throughout sorting and processing, whereas completely edible merchandise are sometimes discarded on account of beauty flaws.
That is additionally true of surplus meals manufacturing in meals processing vegetation and distribution facilities.
- Retail Stage: Merchandise approaching their “sell-by” dates are sometimes discarded, even when completely protected for consumption. Supermarkets and retailers may additionally discard merchandise that aren’t in excellent situation, even when edible. This waste happens on account of visible attraction requirements and client expectations.
Minimizing meals waste is essential to a greener future. Intelligent cooking strategies, like utilizing leftover rooster components for a scrumptious stew, can considerably cut back landfill waste. For example, a fantastic recipe for repurposing rooster wings right into a hearty stew is accessible right here: recipe for stew chicken wings. This resourceful strategy helps us cut back meals waste and embrace sustainable practices.
- Family Stage: Improper meals storage methods, over-purchasing, and lack of meal planning typically end in vital family meals waste. Leftovers usually are not saved accurately or usually are not consumed earlier than spoiling. That is typically a results of poor planning and insufficient storage practices.
Comparability of Totally different Forms of Meals Waste
Kind of Meals Waste | Description | Environmental Affect |
---|---|---|
Edible Meals Scraps | Meals that’s nonetheless protected to eat however is discarded on account of aesthetic imperfections, or as a result of it’s leftover or previous a sell-by date however nonetheless fit for human consumption. | Excessive greenhouse fuel emissions throughout decomposition in landfills. Wasted sources (water, land, labor) used to supply the meals. |
Inedible Packaging | Packaging supplies (plastic, cardboard, and so on.) used for meals merchandise which are discarded together with the meals. | Contributes to landfill waste and air pollution. Wasteful use of sources for manufacturing and disposal. |
Agricultural Byproducts | Components of vegetation or animals that aren’t straight used for consumption (e.g., potato peels, animal bones). | Could be composted to scale back landfill waste and create useful soil amendments. |
Assessing Your Present Habits: How To Handle Meals Waste For A Greener Future Inspider
Understanding your present meals waste habits is step one in the direction of decreasing it. This significant evaluation permits you to pinpoint areas needing enchancment and tailor your methods for optimum affect. Whether or not you are a busy household or a bustling restaurant, figuring out patterns and quantifying the issue will illuminate the trail towards a extra sustainable strategy to meals.This part delves into the particular behaviors contributing to meals waste in households and eating places, offering sensible strategies for monitoring and measuring this waste.
Lowering meals waste is essential to a greener future. Planning meals, storing meals correctly, and composting meals scraps are all nice methods to reduce our environmental affect. For these needing funeral companies within the Columbiana, Alabama space, Bolton Funeral Home in Columbiana, Alabama supplies compassionate assist throughout difficult instances. Finally, aware meals administration practices are essential for a sustainable tomorrow.
By understanding your consumption and disposal patterns, you may develop efficient methods for change. This perception empowers you to make knowledgeable selections and implement focused options, fostering a extra sustainable meals system.
Lowering meals waste is essential for a greener future. Planning meals, storing meals correctly, and composting meals scraps are all nice methods to make a distinction. Contemplating downsizing or relocating? Try mobile homes for sale Visalia for potential choices. These steps, mixed with accountable consumption, assist decrease waste and promote sustainability.
Frequent Meals Waste Behaviors
Figuring out patterns in meals waste requires understanding the particular behaviors that contribute to the issue. In households, frequent culprits embody overbuying, improper storage, and poor meal planning. Eating places typically wrestle with portion sizes, product expiration dates, and inconsistent demand forecasting. By recognizing these frequent pitfalls, you may start to deal with them with tailor-made options.
Monitoring Meals Waste at House
Monitoring meals waste at dwelling empowers you to grasp your consumption patterns and pinpoint drawback areas. Varied strategies exist for monitoring meals waste, every with its benefits. Utilizing a devoted logbook supplies a tangible file of what is being thrown away and when. Meals waste monitoring apps provide the comfort of digital knowledge assortment, typically with visualization instruments for instance tendencies.
- Logbooks: A easy logbook can observe the date, merchandise, cause for disposal, and any contributing elements. This simple methodology helps you establish recurring patterns in your meals waste.
- Apps: Quite a few apps designed for meals waste monitoring can be found. They typically mean you can categorize meals objects, enter portions, and visualize your waste over time. These apps can provide useful insights into your consumption patterns and spotlight areas for enchancment.
Measuring Meals Waste in Eating places
Eating places face distinctive challenges in measuring meals waste, requiring completely different approaches than family monitoring. Weighing discarded meals objects is a exact methodology, permitting for a transparent quantification of waste. Using waste bins with particular compartments for various meals sorts (e.g., greens, proteins) can present a extra detailed breakdown of the waste stream.
- Weighing: Precisely weighing meals waste is a exact methodology. This method permits for a transparent quantification of meals waste and identifies drawback areas within the provide chain.
- Bin Categorization: Implementing bins with particular compartments for various meals sorts (greens, proteins, and so on.) supplies a extra detailed evaluation of waste streams.
- Stock Administration Techniques: Integrating meals waste monitoring into current stock administration methods permits for the correlation of stock ranges with waste output, serving to pinpoint areas for optimization.
Portion Management
Portion management performs a essential function in decreasing meals waste in each households and eating places. Over-portioning results in extra meals, considerably growing waste. In eating places, exact portioning ensures optimum utilization of elements and minimizes meals loss. In households, understanding applicable portion sizes for particular person wants and meal planning reduces the chance of overbuying and subsequent waste.
Methods for Lowering Meals Waste
A comparative strategy highlights the effectiveness of various methods for decreasing meals waste in each dwelling and restaurant settings.
Technique | House | Restaurant |
---|---|---|
Meal Planning | Creating weekly menus primarily based on accessible elements and deliberate meals reduces overbuying and promotes environment friendly use of meals. | Creating menus primarily based on anticipated demand, minimizing ingredient extra and decreasing meals waste. |
Correct Storage | Storing meals objects accurately extends their shelf life and reduces spoilage. | Sustaining optimum storage circumstances for elements and ready dishes prevents spoilage and maximizes freshness. |
Stock Administration | Frequently checking pantry and fridge contents helps establish nearing-expiration objects and plan meals accordingly. | Using stock management methods, monitoring utilization, and forecasting demand to reduce extra elements. |
Portion Management | Understanding applicable portion sizes for particular person wants and meal planning reduces the chance of overbuying and subsequent waste. | Guaranteeing exact portion sizes for every dish and optimizing serving sizes primarily based on buyer demand minimizes waste. |
Planning for a Greener Future
Lowering meals waste is not nearly saving cash; it is a essential step in the direction of a extra sustainable future. By implementing sensible methods in your kitchen, you may considerably lower your environmental footprint and contribute to a more healthy planet. Correct planning and conscious practices are key to minimizing meals waste, making certain much less goes to landfills and decreasing the pressure on sources.
Kitchen Methods for Lowering Meals Waste
Efficient meals waste discount begins within the kitchen. Planning your meals, utilizing a buying checklist, and punctiliously storing elements are important steps. Understanding your family’s consumption patterns helps predict wants, decreasing impulse purchases and minimizing meals spoilage.
- Meal Planning: Making a weekly meal plan primarily based on accessible elements and dietary wants prevents pointless grocery journeys and minimizes the probability of shopping for greater than you want. This strategic planning helps stop overstocking and ensures that leftovers are integrated into future meals.
- Buying Checklist & Stock Test: A well-structured buying checklist, mixed with common stock checks of your pantry and fridge, ensures you buy solely what’s wanted. Understanding what you have already got at dwelling prevents duplication and ensures that elements do not go to waste.
- Portion Management: Portioning meals appropriately, contemplating your loved ones’s or particular person wants, reduces the chance of overconsumption and subsequent spoilage. Utilizing measuring instruments and adjusting portion sizes in line with urge for food is essential.
- Prioritize Contemporary Produce: Select recent produce that is in season and appears interesting. This minimizes the possibility of buying broken or bruised objects, which frequently find yourself wasted. Studying to establish the best-looking produce is a crucial step.
Artistic Recipes from Leftovers
Remodeling leftovers into new and thrilling dishes is a improbable method to cut back waste. This strategy turns culinary challenges into alternatives for artistic expression.
- Pasta Dishes: Leftover cooked rooster, greens, and even pasta itself can be utilized in a wide range of pasta sauces. Including a contact of cream or herbs can elevate the dish to a brand new stage.
- Soups & Stews: Leftover greens, meats, and grains could be reworked into scrumptious soups and stews. The mixture of elements can create a comforting and nutritious meal.
- Salads & Wraps: Leftover proteins and greens could be integrated into salads or wraps, including a satisfying and diversified meal to your weight-reduction plan.
- Breakfasts from Dinner Leftovers: Proteins, grains, and greens from the earlier night time’s dinner can be utilized to create hearty and nutritious breakfast dishes.
Correct Meals Storage for Prolonged Shelf Life
Correct storage methods can considerably prolong the shelf lifetime of your meals, minimizing waste.
- Refrigeration: Storing perishable objects like dairy, meat, and seafood within the fridge on the appropriate temperature prevents spoilage. Understanding the right temperature vary for various meals is essential for preserving high quality.
- Freezing: Freezing meals is a dependable methodology for long-term storage. Correct packaging prevents freezer burn and maintains meals high quality. Correctly freezing and labeling objects ensures ease of use and prevents confusion.
- Dry Storage: Storing non-perishable objects like grains, legumes, and dried fruits in a cool, dry place prevents moisture injury. Figuring out the best storage surroundings for every meals kind is essential.
Composting Strategies for Meals Scraps, handle meals waste for a greener future inspider
Composting meals scraps is an environmentally pleasant method to recycle natural waste. This methodology reduces landfill waste and creates nutrient-rich soil for gardens.
- Bin Composting: A easy bin composting methodology can remodel meals scraps into useful compost. Common turning and monitoring the composting course of ensures correct decomposition.
- Vermicomposting: Utilizing worms to interrupt down meals scraps creates a nutrient-rich compost. This methodology requires a particular surroundings and upkeep schedule to thrive.
- Bokashi Composting: This methodology includes utilizing a particular combination to interrupt down meals scraps. The method is efficient for varied meals sorts and requires particular elements and methods.
Meals Preservation Strategies
Varied strategies can prolong the lifetime of meals.
Preservation Method | Effectiveness | Appropriate Meals |
---|---|---|
Freezing | Glorious | Fruits, greens, meats, soups, casseroles |
Drying | Good | Fruits, greens, herbs |
Pickling | Glorious | Greens, fruits |
Canning | Glorious | Fruits, greens, meats |
Modern Options

Lowering meals waste is not nearly particular person actions; it requires progressive approaches in any respect ranges, from expertise to coverage. Good options and collaborative efforts can considerably affect meals waste discount, making a optimistic environmental and financial affect. Modern applied sciences and sustainable practices can remodel the best way we produce, distribute, and eat meals, in the end minimizing the environmental footprint of our meals methods.Modern options are essential for reaching vital progress in decreasing meals waste.
These options embody a spread of approaches, from using expertise to fostering collaboration and group involvement. By combining technological developments with group initiatives and accountable enterprise practices, we are able to create a extra sustainable and environment friendly meals system.
Good Applied sciences for Waste Discount
Good applied sciences are quickly rising as key instruments within the combat in opposition to meals waste. These applied sciences provide the potential to trace meals objects, predict spoilage, and optimize storage circumstances. Good fridges, for instance, can monitor meals freshness and alert customers when objects are nearing their expiration dates. Subtle sensors in warehouses and distribution facilities can observe product temperatures and humidity ranges, minimizing spoilage throughout transit.
Client Affect on Enterprise Practices
Shoppers play an important function in influencing companies to undertake extra sustainable meals waste discount methods. Demand for merchandise with lowered packaging, clear labeling relating to expiration dates, and dedication to meals restoration applications can incentivize companies to prioritize waste discount. By supporting corporations that prioritize sustainability, shoppers can drive market adjustments. For instance, selecting eating places that donate extra meals to native meals banks can considerably affect their waste administration practices.
Meals Restoration Packages: Finest Practices
Meals restoration applications purpose to gather surplus meals from varied sources (eating places, farms, supermarkets) and redistribute it to these in want. Finest practices for these applications embody establishing clear distribution channels, prioritizing recent produce, and sustaining correct meals security requirements. Partnerships between eating places, meals banks, and group organizations are essential for the success of those applications. Efficient applications sometimes contain streamlined logistics, sturdy stock administration, and clear communication channels.
The Position of Meals Banks and Group Kitchens
Meals banks and group kitchens play an important function in diverting surplus meals from landfills and making certain its equitable distribution. These organizations provide a platform for amassing and distributing meals, supporting native communities, and selling a extra sustainable meals system. Collaboration between meals banks and retailers is crucial for successfully channeling extra meals into these applications. The mixing of those applications with current infrastructure can create an environment friendly system for amassing and redistributing surplus meals.
Effectiveness of Methods in Totally different Areas
The effectiveness of meals waste discount methods varies throughout completely different international locations and areas. Components reminiscent of cultural norms, financial circumstances, and infrastructure availability considerably affect the feasibility and success of various approaches. For example, applications specializing in client training is perhaps simpler in areas with excessive literacy charges, whereas technology-driven options could also be extra readily adopted in areas with superior infrastructure.
Comparative research of various areas can spotlight the effectiveness of varied methods in particular contexts.
Examples of Profitable Meals Waste Discount Packages
Profitable meals waste discount applications typically contain multi-pronged approaches, incorporating client training, enterprise incentives, and group engagement. These applications can result in measurable reductions in meals waste, environmental advantages, and financial good points. For instance, some communities have applied applications the place eating places donate surplus meals to shelters, decreasing meals waste and offering nutritious meals to susceptible populations.
Schooling and Consciousness

Educating people and communities about meals waste is essential for fostering a tradition of sustainability. Understanding the environmental and financial impacts of meals waste is step one towards motivating change. By offering accessible and fascinating info, we are able to empower individuals to make aware selections that cut back their meals waste footprint.
Academic Assets for Lowering Meals Waste
Academic sources play an important function in empowering people to undertake sustainable meals practices. These sources ought to cater to numerous studying types and supply sensible, actionable steps for minimizing meals waste.
- On-line Programs and Workshops: Quite a few on-line platforms provide programs and workshops on meals waste discount. These sources typically present interactive workout routines, sensible suggestions, and downloadable guides. Examples embody programs from organizations just like the Environmental Safety Company (EPA) and varied universities.
- Academic Web sites and Apps: Devoted web sites and cellular functions can provide available info on meals storage methods, meal planning, and recipe concepts for utilizing leftovers. These platforms can present user-friendly instruments and interactive parts to facilitate studying and engagement.
- Cookbooks and Recipe Collections: Cookbooks particularly specializing in minimizing meals waste can present artistic recipe concepts for using elements that may in any other case be discarded. These sources can encourage progressive culinary options for leftover objects and encourage the usage of “ugly” produce.
- Group Gardens and Meals Banks: Taking part in group gardens and meals banks presents firsthand expertise with the significance of meals preservation and decreasing meals waste. This hands-on expertise fosters a deeper understanding of the difficulty.
Public Consciousness Campaigns for Meals Waste Discount
Public consciousness campaigns are important for elevating consciousness and inspiring behavioral adjustments. These campaigns must be partaking and accessible to most of the people, using varied communication channels.
- Social Media Campaigns: Partaking social media campaigns can attain a broad viewers and create conversations round meals waste. These campaigns typically make the most of eye-catching visuals, interactive quizzes, and challenges to inspire participation.
- Partnerships with Meals Retailers and Eating places: Collaboration with meals retailers and eating places is significant. These partnerships can implement methods like clear labeling of produce expiration dates and providing reductions on discounted or nearing-expiration meals objects. This strategy can successfully promote waste discount.
- Public Service Bulletins (PSAs): Artistic PSAs can spotlight the affect of meals waste on the surroundings and the economic system. These brief, impactful messages could be broadcasted on tv, radio, and on-line platforms to boost consciousness among the many public.
- Academic Occasions and Workshops: Organizing workshops and academic occasions in group facilities, faculties, and workplaces can present interactive periods on meals waste discount. These occasions could be designed to cater to numerous studying types and embody sensible demonstrations and Q&A periods.
Educating Kids about Meals Waste
Kids are essential in establishing sustainable habits early. Schooling on meals waste ought to begin at a younger age, specializing in sensible, partaking strategies.
- Interactive Actions and Video games: Academic video games and interactive actions could make studying about meals waste pleasing for youngsters. These actions can deal with the lifecycle of meals, correct storage methods, and the significance of meal planning.
- Classroom Discussions and Classes: Integrating classes about meals waste into the curriculum can present youngsters with the information and understanding essential to make sustainable selections. These classes can cowl matters such because the environmental affect of meals waste and the financial advantages of decreasing it.
- Household Involvement: Involving households within the course of is crucial. Households can create a tradition of sustainable meals practices at dwelling, from meal planning to composting. Encouraging youngsters to take part in these actions reinforces studying.
The Position of Governments and Policymakers in Tackling Meals Waste
Governments and policymakers play an important function in fostering a tradition of meals waste discount. Efficient insurance policies and rules can drive widespread change.
- Implementing Meals Waste Discount Insurance policies: Creating and implementing efficient meals waste discount insurance policies can present incentives for companies and shoppers to scale back meals waste. These insurance policies can embody rules on meals waste disposal, subsidies for composting, and academic campaigns.
- Investing in Analysis and Growth: Investing in analysis and growth associated to meals preservation methods and sustainable meals methods can result in progressive options for minimizing meals waste. This consists of funding for initiatives that target extending the shelf lifetime of produce and creating extra environment friendly meals storage strategies.
Evaluating Academic Approaches
A comparative evaluation of various instructional approaches can spotlight their effectiveness in decreasing meals waste.
Academic Method | Effectiveness | Strengths | Weaknesses |
---|---|---|---|
On-line Programs and Workshops | Excessive | Accessibility, Flexibility, Interactive Parts | Potential for lack of hands-on expertise |
Public Consciousness Campaigns | Medium | Broad Attain, Partaking Content material | Potential for short-term affect |
Academic Occasions and Workshops | Excessive | Interactive, Arms-on Studying, Q&A Periods | Restricted Attain, Scheduling Constraints |
Incorporating Meals Waste Schooling in Colleges | Excessive | Lengthy-term Affect, Early Behavior Formation | Curriculum Integration Challenges |
Inspiring Motion
Lowering meals waste is not nearly saving cash; it is a highly effective act that ripples via our private lives, communities, and the planet. Taking steps to reduce meals waste unlocks a large number of advantages, from enhanced well-being to a extra sustainable future. This part explores the profound affect of particular person actions in combating meals waste and fostering a greener tomorrow.
Private Advantages of Lowering Meals Waste
Minimizing meals waste brings a spread of tangible private advantages. Lowered meals waste typically results in decrease grocery payments, releasing up monetary sources for different priorities. Moreover, the act of consciously planning and using meals effectively can enhance one’s total well-being. This consists of enhanced meal planning abilities, a extra conscious relationship with meals, and a discount in food-related stress and anxiousness.
Furthermore, by decreasing the necessity to buy extra meals, people contribute to a more healthy weight-reduction plan and doubtlessly decrease threat of foodborne diseases related to improper storage and dealing with of perishable objects.
Social Affect on Communities
Meals waste discount interprets into tangible social advantages for communities. By decreasing the quantity of meals ending up in landfills, communities reduce their environmental footprint, thus enhancing air and water high quality. Communities can even create alternatives for meals restoration applications, diverting surplus meals to these in want. These initiatives foster a way of group accountability and might help alleviate meals insecurity.
Meals banks and charities typically profit straight from such initiatives, growing their capability to assist these going through meals shortage.
Minimizing meals waste is essential for a greener future. Correct planning and storage can considerably cut back the quantity of meals destined for landfills. Selecting the best pet food, just like the best dog food for pitbull husky mix , additionally performs a job. By decreasing pet meals waste, you are contributing to a extra sustainable way of life, selling a greener planet for everybody.
Cautious planning and sensible selections can considerably affect your environmental footprint.
Contribution to a Sustainable Future
Lowering meals waste is an important element of reaching a extra sustainable future. Landfills launch dangerous greenhouse gases, considerably contributing to local weather change. By decreasing meals waste, we lower the demand for sources like land, water, and vitality utilized in meals manufacturing, processing, and transportation. This lowered demand interprets right into a decreased pressure on ecosystems and a extra sustainable agricultural system.
Finally, decreasing meals waste helps the preservation of pure sources and biodiversity for future generations.
Illustrative Examples of Constructive Environmental Affect
The environmental affect of decreasing meals waste is instantly observable. Take into account a state of affairs the place a family reduces their meals waste by 25%. This interprets into a considerable discount within the quantity of meals despatched to landfills. The ensuing lower in greenhouse fuel emissions could be illustrated utilizing a visible illustration, reminiscent of a graph displaying the decline in landfill quantity over a particular interval.
Moreover, the conservation of water and vitality utilized in meals manufacturing could be highlighted via a comparative evaluation of the sources consumed by wasted meals versus meals that’s consumed.
Significance of Particular person Actions
Particular person actions play a pivotal function in making a greener future by decreasing meals waste. Every small step, from correct storage to conscious meal planning, contributes to a bigger affect. A collective effort to reduce meals waste throughout communities, faculties, and workplaces can create a strong change. For instance, selling composting and educating communities about the advantages of decreasing meals waste can create vital enhancements in decreasing landfill waste.
Adopting these practices fosters a collective consciousness and motion towards a extra sustainable way of life.
Abstract
In conclusion, decreasing meals waste is not nearly saving sources; it is about fostering a extra sustainable and aware strategy to our meals methods. By understanding the issue, implementing sensible options, and galvanizing others, we are able to all contribute to a greener future. This information supplies a roadmap to reaching a extra environmentally accountable strategy to meals, empowering people and communities to make a distinction.
FAQ Abstract
What are some easy methods to scale back meals waste at dwelling?
Plan your meals, retailer meals correctly, use leftovers creatively, and be conscious of expiration dates. Freezing surplus produce and storing leftovers in hermetic containers might help prolong their shelf life considerably.
How can eating places cut back meals waste?
Eating places can implement portion management measures, optimize ordering methods, and companion with meals banks or charities for meals restoration. Utilizing pre-order methods and implementing clear stock administration methods might help.
What’s the affect of meals waste on the surroundings?
Meals waste contributes considerably to greenhouse fuel emissions and useful resource depletion. The vitality and sources utilized in rising, processing, transporting, and disposing of wasted meals are substantial.
How can I become involved in a meals restoration program?
Many organizations provide meals restoration applications. Contact native meals banks or group kitchens to seek out out how one can donate extra meals or volunteer your time.