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Calling all food heroes

Save food, spend less during Food Waste Prevention Week

A vendor prepares fresh salad samples at a farmers market stall.

Despite our best efforts, we all toss out perfectly good food. About 40% of food is wasted in the U.S., wasting the money we spent on it and the resources used to grow, ship, and store it.

The good news: we all can be food heroes and turn small, everyday habits into big wins for our paychecks and the planet.

During Food Waste Prevention Week, September 28 – October 4, we’re celebrating the food heroes. Whether that's an aunt who turns leftover scraps into soup, a chef who turns imperfect produce into something delicious, or a community organization that recovers surplus food. These friends, family, neighbors, community leaders, and volunteers understand the true value of food.

Preventing wasted food is a county priority. It's a foundational strategy of the county's Climate Action Plan, helps eliminate disparities by increasing food security, and is a top action to accelerate a zero-waste future. We've set a goal of cutting the amount of edible food that's thrown away in half. Join us in taking action.

Save Food, Spend Less Challenge

Join the Save Food, Spend Less Challenge and be a food hero in your household. The challenge will help improve your skills in cooking, planning, shopping, and storage to save time, money, and resources. With 60 actions to choose from, find what works in your household.

Team up with your community to make a real difference in reducing waste. Sign up by September 30. The challenge runs October 1 to 31.

Chef demonstrations at farmers markets

We're partnering with Homegrown Minneapolis and local chefs to share their top tips for planning, cooking, and using up food.

Join us for these chef demonstrations:

  • Sunday, September 27 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Kingfield Farmers Market
  • Sunday, September 27 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Golden Valley Farmers Market
  • Wednesday, September 30 from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Nokomis Farmers Market
  • Saturday, October 3 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Mill City Farmers Market
  • Saturday, October 3 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Northeast Minneapolis Farmers Market
  • Saturday, October 17 at the Bloomington Farmers Market

Save Food fridge display at Hennepin County libraries

Grab the scanner and learn how to make the most of the food in your fridge. Our interactive fridge will be on display at these Hennepin County libraries:

  • September 18 to 30: Ridgedale Library
  • October 1 to 14: Hopkins Library
  • October 15 to 30: St. Louis Park Library

Restaurant heroes reducing food waste

We're partnering with Minnesota Waste Wise, Homegrown Minneapolis, and local restaurants to spotlight what they're doing to reduce food waste and share ways to make sure those delicious leftovers don't go to waste.

Visit and support our participating businesses during Food Waste Prevention Week:

  • Churchill Street
  • Central Mix
  • Chowgirls
  • CRAVE Catering
  • El Gordo Hamburguesas
  • Ichigo Crepes
  • Indigena by Owamni
  • Lito's Burritos
  • Nice Time Market and More
  • Ruam Mit
  • Queermunity
  • The Central Mix
  • The Doghouse Bar and Grill
  • The Sota Fountain
  • Urban Growler
  • Wise Acre Eatery