Do you know how much food your family throws out every week? The produce that went bad, the leftovers that never got eaten, the expired yogurt? According to Foodprint.org, households are responsible for the largest portion of food waste. Janet Irizarry of Hudson Valley EATS is working to help combat household food waste with the first ever Hudson Valley Food Waste Challenge.
A Little Bit More About Janet
Janet has always worked in the restaurant and food industry. This past year she launched “Cooking For a Cause”, where local Hudson Valley chefs gave virtual cooking demonstrations of some of their signature dishes. This was a fundraiser with profits from ticket sales going to nonprofits helping feed families in need. She started her blog Hudson Valley EATS in 2016 to highlight local restaurant chefs and food entrepreneurs. Recently, she has shifted the focus of the website to become more of an interactive food community, where readers can contribute articles, recipes and more.
Why Have A Food Waste Challenge?
Janet is hoping to bring more awareness to the amount of food that Hudson Valley households waste. She is also looking to educate families in significantly reducing their “foodprint” by giving them strategies to reduce their food waste. Although food waste challenges are not new, this is the first food waste challenge focused specifically on the Hudson Valley.
How long Is The Challenge?
The challenge is 6 weeks, running from September 20 – October 31st.
How Do I Join the Challenge?
You can join the challenge by signing up via the website. There is a $25 registration fee per family that provides access to an online community, all of the resources for the challenge including articles, videos and worksheets, a t-shirt and a chance to win some prizes.
The only supplies you need for the challenge are small garbage bags, a small kitchen scale and the desire to reduce your food waste.
How Does The Challenge Work?
Each week there is a different topic related to food waste as well as challenges, questions and activities. Participants will be asked to complete a survey and track their food waste.
There is a social aspect to the challenge as well with an interactive community, social media hashtags and more.
At the end of the challenge prizes will be awarded to participants.
Why Should You Participate in the Hudson Valley Food Waste Challenge?
A recent study showed that the average American household wasted almost 32% of its food. The annual cost of this wasted food is almost $2,000. I think we can all do better at reducing the amount of food we waste. The Hudson Valley Food Waste Challenge is giving families the tools they need to learn how to reduce their “foodprint.” Even a small number of people can make a big impact.
I’ve been an advocate of food waste and have posted about the Too Good To Go App as well as the television show Scraps with Joel Gamoran. While I try my best to avoid food waste, I know there is always something new to learn.
I am looking forward to hopefully joining many of you in participating in the Hudson Valley’s first food waste challenge. You can sign up here. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the organizer, Janet Irizzary, at janet@hudsonvalleyEATS.com. You can read more about the challenge in the press release and on the Hudson Valley EATS website.
