Save Food, Spend Less Challenge 2026

Karla's points

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
60 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

2.1

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

1.2

pounds

food waste prevented

Karla's actions

Planning

Plan to Use My Garden or CSA Produce

I will check to see what will be ready to eat in my garden or CSA box this week and plan recipes that use these ingredients.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Planning

Track My Wasted Food

I will track the food that my household of 2 throws out so I can learn what we're wasting and why.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY 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

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 1
DAILY ACTION

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

Storage

Properly Store Herbs

I will store fresh herbs just like cut flowers in a jar with 1 to 2 inches of water and cover with a plastic bag to maintain moisture. For woody or hardy herbs like rosemary, thyme, sage and chives, I will arrange them lengthwise on a damp paper towel, rolled up, then sealed in a plastic bag and stored in the refrigerator. I will properly store 2 bunches of herbs.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

REFLECTION QUESTION
Planning

How easy has it been for you to plan your garden or CSA produce into your meals? Do you ever let your seasonal food go to waste?
Karla Juetten 10/07/2026 1:10 PM

Sometimes there is more to harvest than we can consume, so I have a free box next to our fence for the neighbors to help themselves.

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- Elise Torgerson 10/07/2026 7:49 PM
  
  Ahh, I love this so much! As a delivery driver, one of my favorite things to see out and about are those little community food and/or book boxes... it just warms my heart to know that, although times may be tough, people are still kind and take care to share what extra they have. It's just one of those things that brings a smile to my face - thank you for your consideration, and for helping nourish the neighborhood! :)
  
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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?
Karla Juetten 10/07/2026 1:09 PM

Lettuce is definitely something we usually don't use up.

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- Hali Alton 10/07/2026 2:04 PM
  
  I will throw veggies or fruit like that out for the wildlife in my backyard. We have a huge heard of deer, squirrels, rabbits, and this year fox. It's a good way to "reuse".
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Planning

What did you find you are tossing the most? How can you change your habits to avoid wasting this food?
Karla Juetten 10/07/2026 1:09 PM

We didn't throw away a lot of food this week - trying to buy less.

Read More