The holidays are a time of abundance – full tables, full hearts, and often, overfull refrigerators. Between office parties, family dinners, and neighborhood potlucks, surplus food tends to spike between Thanksgiving and New Year’s.
Fortunately, with a little planning and creativity, you can enjoy the season’s bounty without sending so much of it to the landfill.
Plan the feast
Most holiday waste begins long before anyone sits down to eat. We tend to over-shop “just in case” – buying two turkeys instead of one, or four bags of rolls when we really need two. Before you hit the grocery store, take inventory of what’s already in your pantry and freezer. Then, use a guest list calculator and portion guide to estimate how much you truly need.
If you’re hosting a potluck, coordinate dishes ahead of time to avoid duplicates – there are only so many mashed potatoes one table can handle.
Rethink leftovers as next-day ingredients
A little creativity can transform excess food into a second round of meals that are just as delicious. Don’t look at leftovers as a chore, but as an opportunity for culinary experimentation.
For instance, leftover roasted vegetables can be quickly blended with stock to create a hearty soup. Extra turkey or ham can add protein and flavor to a variety of dishes like sandwiches. Even cranberry sauce can find new life as a sweet glaze or topping.
When you’re simply too tired to think about food the day after the big feast, freezing is your best friend. Portion out cooked leftovers into airtight, labeled containers, noting the contents and the date. This simple act turns your excess food into ready-made, easy meals for weeks to come.
Share the abundance
One of the most meaningful ways to honor the season is by sharing the food we can’t eat ourselves. If your holiday celebrations leave you with more than your household can reasonably enjoy, consider how that surplus might help someone else.
Many community organizations like Project Green Fork help connect surplus food to those in need. For smaller quantities, consider dropping shelf-stable or unopened goods at a local food pantry or community fridge. When we treat surplus food as an opportunity to give, we turn everyday abundance into tangible support for our community.
Compost what’s truly inedible
No matter how well you plan, some scraps are inevitable – potato peels, eggshells, or that stubborn fruitcake no one wants to claim. Composting turns these leftovers into nutrient-rich soil instead of methane-producing landfill waste. Whether you have your own backyard bin or you partner with a local composting service, this is another way to keep your holiday impact low.
A mindset shift for the season
Food is one of the most powerful ways we show love, especially during the holidays. But when we waste food, we are also wasting the resources it took to grow, transport, and prepare it. By planning thoughtfully, cooking mindfully, and sharing generously, we ensure that our abundance reaches beyond our own homes. When we feast without the waste, everyone benefits.
