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Welcome to Save Food, Spend Less Challenge 2026!

Watch the short video below to learn the basics.
You'll be an Save Food, Spend Less Challenge 2026 expert in no time!

Hennepin County | Ramsey County | Washington County
Save Food, Spend Less Challenge 2026
October 1 - October 31, 2026
Neama Jamal's avatar

Neama Jamal

Normandale Environmental Chemistry

Neama's points

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 71 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    4.7
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    2.0
    pounds
    food waste prevented

Neama's actions

Cooking

Swap This for That

If I am missing an ingredient for a recipe I will find a substitute I have on hand and use that instead.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

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 1
DAILY ACTION

Shopping

Eat Before Shopping

I will resist impulse buys by eating a snack or meal before going grocery shopping. Those who grocery shop on an empty stomach spend 64% more than not-hungry shoppers.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Cooking

Set a Timer

I will set a timer to keep me on track with kitchen tasks and cooking and baking times so that I don't ruin food.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Storage

Learn About Food Storage

I will learn about food storage and store food based on best practices to keep it from spoiling before it is used.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Cooking
    How has using a timer changed your kitchen routine?
    Neama Jamal's avatar
    Neama Jamal 10/04/2026 3:21 PM
    When it comes to baking it's useful because the amount of time I burnt my cookies, it's worth using a timer.
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Shopping
    What can you do to make sure you never shop hungry?
    Neama Jamal's avatar
    Neama Jamal 10/04/2026 3:18 PM
    Anytime I see panda express, I have to get a bowl of rice and orange chicken. I knew I had to control myself, so I ended up making my own orange chicken, so I don't waste money.
    Read More
  • 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?
    Neama Jamal's avatar
    Neama Jamal 10/04/2026 3:16 PM
    Usually when I shop I get more items but I stopped myself because I didn't need them.
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Cooking
    How comfortable are you with making ingredient swaps? Where do you go to find substitutes if you don't have what you need?
    Neama Jamal's avatar
    Neama Jamal 10/04/2026 3:13 PM
    I was making Alfredo pasta and I didn't have the sauce so I ended up just making my own.
    Read More