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Sydney Frieson-Wenger's avatar

Sydney Frieson-Wenger

Normandale Environmental Chemistry

"I will try to be more aware of my food consumption and waste throughout this challenge. I will try to implement the knowledge at the end of this challenge through the rest if my life. "

Sydney's points

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 176 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    40
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    15
    pounds
    food waste prevented

Sydney's actions

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Watch a Documentary About Food

I will watch 3 videos or documentaries to learn about the scope and scale of food waste in this country.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Cooking

Reimagine Leftovers

I will learn about how to repurpose my leftovers into new meals and then try it.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Planning

Sign up for Fridge Check Fridays

I will sign up for Fridge Check Friday emails, sent by Hennepin County but open to everyone, to prompt me to check my fridge for food that needs to be used up and for hacks on storing food to keep it fresh.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Send it Down the Grape Vine

I will talk to 5 family members or friends about my experience with this challenge, food waste, and what I have learned.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Storage

Properly Store Berries

To keep berries fresh, place them on top of a paper towel in a sealed container to absorb excess moisture and reduce chances of molding. I will properly store 2 packs of berries.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Planning

Keep a Food Inventory

I will take a fridge and pantry inventory to stay up to date with what I have at home before I go grocery shopping.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Shopping

Skip the Cart

Bigger carts make us feel like we need to fill them! Use a hand basket to improve grocery store discipline and prevent over-purchasing.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Shopping

Stick to Your Grocery List

I will only purchase the items on my grocery list and avoid impulse purchases.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed


  • Sydney Frieson-Wenger's avatar
    Sydney Frieson-Wenger 10/08/2026 4:34 PM
    It's going surprisingly well !! I waste a lot of food which is sad but I'm saving it by composting my scraps :)
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Planning
    What have you found out since you started taking an inventory of your fridge before shopping?

    Sydney Frieson-Wenger's avatar
    Sydney Frieson-Wenger 10/08/2026 4:32 PM
    I actually have a lot more food I can use instead of getting fast food or the same item in the grocery store. I can also substitute the food in my fridge for the food in the recipe.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Shopping
    Reflecting on how your grocery trips have gone in the past: do you fill up your cart? Do you think you can fit everything you need into a smaller cart or a basket?

    Sydney Frieson-Wenger's avatar
    Sydney Frieson-Wenger 10/08/2026 4:22 PM
    I love to fill up the cart when it's not my card! It's a bigger problem when I go to Costco with my Dad.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Cooking
    How have you modified what you do with leftovers to make sure nothing goes to waste?

    Sydney Frieson-Wenger's avatar
    Sydney Frieson-Wenger 10/08/2026 4:21 PM
    yes i only take what i need but also try ot make enough so i don't have left overs. and if the food is safe i feed it to my dogs!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Shopping
    What are some of the things you typically buy that you weren't on your list? How do you think you might limit some of those purchases?

    Sydney Frieson-Wenger's avatar
    Sydney Frieson-Wenger 10/08/2026 4:13 PM
    Cookies, chocolate, churros, really random things I find around the store that looks good.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community
    How has your awareness of the food you waste changed since you started separating it from other trash? Did anything surprise you?

    Sydney Frieson-Wenger's avatar
    Sydney Frieson-Wenger 10/08/2026 4:11 PM
    Yes actually! I realized my family wastes a lot of food. They take more on their plate than they can eat.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Planning
    Are there food items you have been better about using up and not wasting since you started keeping an inventory of what's in your fridge?

    Sydney Frieson-Wenger's avatar
    Sydney Frieson-Wenger 10/06/2026 4:04 PM
    Yes! Since making the inventory, I found I already had butter and ranch in the back of my fridge and I didn't need to buy anymore.