Thanksgiving is a time to gather with family and friends, enjoy favorite foods, and reflect on what we're thankful for. It's also an opportunity to show gratitude for our planet! According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Americans are expected to throw away approximately 320 million pounds of food on Thanksgiving Day, representing more than $550 million in wasted food.
From planning meals to making the most of leftovers, small changes can help reduce waste and make your Thanksgiving celebration more sustainable.
Plan Your Feast, Reduce Food Waste
- Plan your menu based on the number of guests and check your pantry and refrigerator before shopping.
- Make a shopping list and purchase only what you need.
- Coordinate dishes with guests to avoid preparing too much food.
Shop Local and Choose Seasonal Foods
- Incorporate seasonal produce such as squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, and apples.
- Consider shopping at local farms, farmers markets, or nearby food producers.
- Add a plant-based dish to your Thanksgiving menu.
- Choose foods with minimal packaging when possible.
Set a Sustainable Table
- Use reusable plates, utensils, glasses, and cloth napkins instead of disposable alternatives.
- Decorate with natural materials such as pumpkins, pinecones, and autumn leaves.
- Reuse decorations from previous celebrations rather than purchasing new ones.
Love Your Leftovers
- Send guests home with leftovers in reusable containers.
- Refrigerate or freeze leftovers promptly to keep them safe to eat.
- Get creative! Transform leftovers into soups, sandwiches, casseroles, or other meals.
- Compost appropriate food scraps when possible.
Give Back to Your Community
- Donate unopened, shelf-stable food to a local food pantry.
- Consider volunteering with a community organization or food assistance program.
- Take time to learn about Indigenous food traditions and consider supporting Indigenous-owned food businesses.
Explore More at the Library
Want to learn more about sustainable food practices, composting, and Indigenous food traditions? Explore these resources available through the library.
Articles from the Culinary Arts Database
- Environmental Industry Associations Offers Composting Tips for a Sustainable Thanksgiving. (2012, November 27). Food & Beverage Close-Up.
- Halloween Pumpkin Composting Tricks Lead to Environmental Treats. (2013, October 29). PR Newswire.
Books and E-books
- Kavasch, E. B. (1995). Enduring harvests: Native American foods and festivals for every season (1st ed.). Globe Pequot Press. Call number: TX 715 .K205 1995
- Pesantubbee, M. E., & Zogry, M. J. (Eds.). (2021). Native foodway: Indigenous North American religious traditions and foods. State University of New York Press. E-book
- Sullivan, T. L. (2015). Native American Recipes. Nova Science Publishers, Inc. E-book
Small Changes Make a Difference
You don't have to change every Thanksgiving tradition to make a difference. Whether you prepare just enough food, use reusable dinnerware, or find creative ways to enjoy leftovers, every small action helps reduce waste.
This Thanksgiving, give thanks while caring for the planet we share!
Sources
3BL Media / National Waste & Recycling Association | NWRA
Give Thanks, Not Waste: Simple Ways to Celebrate a More Sustainable Thanksgiving -
Keep America Beautiful
How to have a more sustainable Thanksgiving - ABC News
Native Life and Food: Food Is More Than Just What We Eat | Native Knowledge 360°
Rethinking Thanksgiving Celebrations: Native Perspectives on Thanksgiving | Native
Knowledge 360°
Sustainable Thanksgiving: Tips to Reduce Food Waste | WWF
Thanksgiving Food Waste | Office of Sustainability, University of Minnesota Twin Cities
University of Minnesota Duluth: How to Have a Sustainable Thanksgiving
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