With the aim of comparing American shopping habits with USDA grocery spending data, chefs Adam and Joanne Gallagher, the faces behind Inspired Taste, conducted a survey of over 1,000 people, and the results were far from encouraging. The amount of food wasted by an average consumer is $420 per year, compared to more than $1,680 for families. This waste increases during the holiday season when shopping spikes, and considering the rise in prices due to food, the Gallaghers recommend planning meals and, therefore, shopping, avoiding impulse purchases.
In their statements to the U.S. Sun, the chefs explained that the best way to save is to plan in advance which dishes you want to cook and what ingredients are needed. The same media also reported statements from Jennifer Maune, runner-up of season 13 of MasterChef, and coach Hunter Stoler, who stated that planning was essential to reduce grocery expenses.
Holiday spending and food waste
With the arrival of the holiday season also comes one of the times of the year with the highest spending, and that includes food. Without realizing it, we buy food that ends up being wasted, becoming a silent expense. That is why chefs Adam and Joanne Gallagher, the faces behind Inspired Taste, wanted to compare shopping habits with USDA grocery spending data. To do this, they surveyed more than 1,000 Americans and obtained very discouraging data.
Without a doubt, food waste in the country is a serious problem, as families throw away thousands of dollars on food because it went bad or they had forgotten about it. According to the Gallaghers’ survey data, the average consumer throws away more than $400 a year on food in the United States, compared to the average family, which throws away more than $1,680. This number becomes even more concerning during the holiday months when spending increases, as is the Christmas season.
How to avoid this expense?
Since 2019, the price of groceries has increased by more than 25%, so if there’s ever a time to control spending, it’s now. According to statements from chefs at Inspired Taste to US Sun, “Americans can significantly reduce food waste with a simple strategy. The best way to reduce the amount of food that ends up in the trash and the money you throw away comes down to planning ahead.” The trick is as simple as planning your menu before going to the supermarket, thus limiting unnecessary impulse purchases.
According to Joanne, “Being a food lover, it’s easy to just throw extra ingredients into my cart, but too often, I never get around to cooking or enjoying them. Then I’m left with ingredients I never should have bought in the first place”. Other well-known figures, such as Masterchef 13 runner-up Jennifer Maune and health coach Hunter Stoler, also share this idea, advocating the importance of planning before shopping.
Food waste in the United States
According to Inspired Taste data, “Almost 50% of American shoppers throw away food because they forget about it, and an astonishing 86% of Americans threw away unopened groceries in the past year.” Chefs also recommend that Americans incorporate new ingredients, as long as they fit within their planning.
According to Joanne, “I still love getting excited in the store, so when I’m really in my groove and see something I’d like to try, I make a note. Then I revisit that note to come up with a plan for the next time I shop”.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do consumers waste on food?
The average consumer wastes around $420 per year on food. For families, this figure is even higher, exceeding $1,680 per year.
What is the main recommendation from chefs for reducing food waste and saving money?
The most effective strategy is to plan meals and shopping in advance. This helps avoid impulsive and unnecessary purchases, limiting ingredients that end up unused.
Why is food waste especially concerning during the holidays?
Waste increases during the holiday season because there is a peak in food shopping. This extra spending makes the amount of forgotten or expired food thrown away even greater.