How SECOR Fights Food Waste, and How You Can Too

Step inside the SECOR Cares warehouse and you’ll immediately see the fresh and non-perishable foods that eventually will stock our free market.

You’ll also notice something less appetizing … cardboard boxes of spoiled food that normally would end up in the trash. 

But at SECOR Cares, we know that food still has a purpose. After being sorted out by our volunteers and set aside, it will be picked up by area farmers, ranchers and composters to feed their animals and gardens.

One such farmer is Gene. He lives near Colorado Springs, where he raises ducks, chickens, geese and goats and also grows fruits and vegetables. 

He donates eggs to SECOR to give to our guests, and a couple of times a month, he picks up food that would normally go to waste and feeds it to his animals.

He takes breads and grains that are past their prime, as well as mushy bananas, cucumbers, and zucchini. 

“Bananas are very healthy for the animals,” Gene said, saying the potassium is extremely beneficial and the fruit helps strengthen the shells on the eggs his birds lay. (Also, the goats especially enjoy them.)

None of the bananas go to waste on Gene’s farm – his animals eat the peels, which he said are especially nutrient packed.

Working with farmers like Gene is one way SECOR works to prevent food waste while feeding our neighbors.

Roughly 80% of the food in our free food market comes from our “grocery rescue” partnerships with 19 local stores. Our trucks are on the road six days a week picking up food that might end up tossed as stores make room on their shelves for new inventory. 

Every guest who shops in the market can take home a full bag of fresh produce during every shopping trip, which means as much as possible gets on the tables of our neighbors before it goes bad.

How You Can Prevent Food Waste

At SECOR, we know how important access to nutritious food is for our neighbors. And preventing food waste at home is one small way we can all be more mindful of the food we have!

Food waste is estimated at between 30-40 percent of the food supply, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The good news is that reducing food waste doesn't require a major lifestyle change. A few simple habits can help you save money on groceries and make the most of the food you already have.

Here are five easy ways to reduce food waste at home.

1. Plan Your Meals Before You Grocery Shop

One of the best ways to prevent food waste is to start before you even get to the grocery store.

Before shopping, check your refrigerator, freezer and pantry. Take inventory of the food you already have and think about how you can use those ingredients in meals throughout the week.

Creating a simple grocery list can help you avoid buying more food than your household needs. You don't have to plan every meal in detail. Even planning a few dinners or lunches can make a difference.

Try this: Look at your schedule before grocery shopping. If you know you have a busy week, plan a few quick meals instead of buying ingredients for meals you may not have time to prepare.

2. Store Food Properly to Keep It Fresh Longer

When food is stored correctly, it can stay fresh longer and be less likely to end up in the trash.

Keep foods in the appropriate areas of your refrigerator and pantry, use airtight containers when possible and make sure packages are properly sealed after opening.

Don't forget about your freezer, either. Freezing food you won't use right away can help extend its life. Bread, cooked meats, soups, casseroles and many fruits and vegetables can be frozen for later use.

Try this: If you realize you won't eat something before it goes bad, freeze it instead of waiting until it's too late.

3. Learn What Food Date Labels Mean

Food date labels can be confusing and misunderstanding them can contribute to unnecessary food waste at home.

Labels such as "best by" or "best if used by" can relate to quality rather than automatically meaning that a food is unsafe to eat. Understanding what different date labels mean can help you make more informed decisions about the food in your refrigerator and pantry.

For foods that are highly perishable or require specific handling, such as meat, poultry and dairy products, follow food-safety recommendations.

Try this: Don't automatically throw away food simply because you've reached the date printed on the package. Take a moment to understand what the date means and consider the food's condition and storage.

4. Find Creative Ways to Use Leftovers

Instead of letting leftovers sit in the refrigerator until they are forgotten, think about how you can turn them into a completely new meal.

Leftover roasted vegetables can become a breakfast hash. Extra chicken can be added to soup, salads, sandwiches or quesadillas. Cooked rice can become fried rice or a grain bowl. Fruits that are getting soft can be used in smoothies or baked goods.

You don't have to eat the same meal night after night. A little creativity can give leftovers a second life.

Try this: Choose one night each week as "leftover night" and let your family mix and match what's already in the refrigerator.

5. Donate Food You Won't Use

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you simply have more food than your household can use. When that happens, consider whether someone else could benefit from it.

Try this: Keep a small box in your pantry for unopened, shelf-stable foods you know your family won't use. When it's full, bring it to us during our donation hours and we’ll write you a receipt for a tax deduction!

Our most-needed food donations are canned chicken and tuna, cereal, condiments, baking products, nut butters and jelly.

Hygiene products are always needed as well, including laundry detergent, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, facial tissues, toilet paper, adult diapers, feminine hygiene, soap, and cleaning products. 

Your donations and your financial support help provide nutritious groceries and resources to local neighbors experiencing food insecurity. Food that might otherwise sit unused in one household can help provide a meal for someone else.

When we share food with our neighbors, we're doing more than preventing waste — we're helping strengthen our community.