Save Food, Spend Less Challenge 2026 - Rachel Schauer

Hennepin County | Ramsey County | Washington County

Save Food, Spend Less Challenge 2026

October 1 - October 31, 2026

Rachel's points

50 TODAY
50 THIS WEEK
65 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

locally sourced meal

consumed

Rachel's actions

Community

Send it Down the Grape Vine

I will talk to 2 family members or friends about my experience with this challenge, food waste, and what I have learned.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Shopping

Support Imperfection

I will intentionally buy ugly produce at the grocery store, farmers market, or sign up for an ugly produce CSA box.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Shopping

Buy From A Farmers Market

I will purchase produce and meat directly from a local farmers market and make 1 meals.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Storage

Create an Eat First Area

I will create an "Eat First" area in my fridge to prioritize food that needs to be used right away for my household of 1.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed

REFLECTION QUESTION
Shopping

Would you be more willing to buy produce with a few imperfections at your grocery store? Why or why not?
Rachel Schauer 10/13/2026 9:27 AM

Yes! This is an idea I wasn't previously open to because I thought produce had to be "perfect" to be good to eat. I had a conversation with a community member who shared with me the idea that the idea of "perfect" food is not how things grow naturally. It's still taking some adjustment to getting used to buying things that have imperfections or using the items in a bag/bundle that have imperfections, but I am definitely making progress on it!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Shopping

What food items do you prefer buying from a farmers market than a grocery store? Why?
Rachel Schauer 10/13/2026 9:22 AM

I prefer buying produce from the farmers market! Not only do I know the produce is locally grown but I also have the opportunity to learn more about vegetables that are new to me. This weekend while I was at my city's farmers market I wanted to buy cauliflower. One of the farmers was selling what I thought was purple cauliflower which I enjoy, but I learned from the farmer that it was actually purple broccoli! I had it for dinner with zucchini also purchased at the farmers market. The leftovers have been great to add to my lunch this week!

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