Save Food, Spend Less Challenge 2026

Hennepin County | Ramsey County | Washington County

October 1 - October 31, 2026

Bailey's points

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
141 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

3.8

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

2.1

pounds

food waste prevented

Bailey's actions

Cooking

Make Soup Broth

I will store vegetable scraps or bones in my freezer and use them to make veggie stock or bone broth. I will make 3 batches.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Cooking

Use the Edible Portion

I will learn about what food is still safe to eat if portions have gone bad and make sure to utilize the edible portions if I can.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Storage

Organize My Refrigerator

I will organize my refrigerator to maximize shelf life based on the temperature and humidity of different spots.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Storage

Make Smoothies

I will freeze fruits and veggies, such as overripe bananas or avocados, to use later in smoothies.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Storage

Rotate My Foods

When I restock my fridge or pantry, I will put new items in the back and bring older items to the front to be used first.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Storage

Preserve food

I will try a new method of food preservation, such as canning, pickling, drying or making jam. I will try 3 preservation techniques.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Keep all food out of the garbage

In addition to using up my edible food, I will separate and compost my food scraps using backyard composting, curbside pickup, or a drop-off program.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Planning

Track My Wasted Food

I will track the food that my household of 3 throws out so I can learn what we're wasting and why.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Participant Feed

REFLECTION QUESTION
Planning

What did you find you are tossing the most? How can you change your habits to avoid wasting this food?
Bailey Dudycha 10/08/2026 9:24 AM

I find I am tossing leftovers. I am the sustainability chef at Chowgirls Catering and when I bring home extra food from Family Meal it doesn't always get eaten by my household. It is nice however to know I re-used the food once after an event for family meal, then can take the rest home to feed family. It just needs to get eaten in time or re-created. Also freezing fruit and/or veg before it goes bad/ pickling/ making stock or soup

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- H McCrillis 10/08/2026 8:43 PM
  
  Thank you!
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Cooking

Have you previously learned about what food is still safe to eat if a portion of it goes bad? Who taught you this information?
Bailey Dudycha 10/02/2026 7:24 AM

yes, through servsafe classes, HACCP classes, and sustainability classes.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Storage

How has rotating your foods changed your awareness of what you have on hand? Have you changed any of your shopping habits because of this practice?
Bailey Dudycha 10/02/2026 5:54 AM

Knowing what needs to be used first is important because then I can see what I can substitute in the recipes I am making vs having to buy more of something else for just one recipe.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Storage

What kinds of fruit and vegetables do you like eating in a smoothie?
Bailey Dudycha 10/02/2026 5:53 AM

I have been using anything: greens, avocado, grapes, berries, melons, pears, apples, bananas (whatever looks too sad to use on fruit skewers, fruit platters, cheese boards, etc).

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Storage

Did you find that you were storing things in a spot that wasn't a good fit? Which items have you changed?
Bailey Dudycha 10/02/2026 5:52 AM

Finding that when at work the best place for storing meat is in the back of the fridge because the temp change is the least (with the door opening and closing/ hot foods coming in to cool on the hot food speed rack)

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