Oregon launches "Bad Apple" campaign to prevent food waste

(OCTOBER 22, 2021) Spoiled food costs Oregon households money. In fact, every year the average household loses $1,600 by throwing away spoiled food. While many people are already taking steps to reduce food waste, research funded by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) found that 85% of Oregon households agreed they could do more to reduce food spoilage.

To help people take simple steps to reduce food waste, DEQ launched a humorous new statewide campaign. It wants to inspire households to reduce the amount of food they throw away at home. The new campaign is called “Bad Apple." (According to Macmillan Dictionary, a "bad apple" is someone who does bad things and influences other people so that they do bad things, too.) The new campaign is the result of extensive research that said saving money is the primary reason people will reduce food waste.

Researchers estimate that 25% to 40% of all food is never eaten. In Oregon, as much as 70% of all food tossed might have been eaten if simple steps had been taken. These steps include better storage and simply not forgetting it in the fridge. When food goes uneaten, the resources used to produce it go to waste as well. Those resources include land, water, time, and energy in growing, cooling, processing, transporting, storing, cooking, and ultimately disposing of food. DEQ is committed to protecting Oregon’s air, land, and water. Fighting the climate impacts of food waste is essential to its work.

The campaign's website has easy-to-read information and videos about Oregon's favorite foods. There are tips about how to keep them fresher longer and save money. Common tips include:

• What food will go bad soon? Put it where you can see it in your fridge.

• What do you have at home? Make a list of what to use before it goes bad.

• What should you make for dinner? Create meals from what you have.

• Don't want to cook? Eat your leftovers.

• Can't eat it all? Freeze it for later use.

• Is your fridge cold enough? Check its temperature.

• What's on your list? Check your kitchen before you shop.

Visit the website for videos and other information: Don't Let Good Food Go Bad