Sustainable Celebrations: Reducing Food Waste During the Holidays
The holiday season is filled with joy, generosity, and plenty of delicious meals shared with friends and family. But it’s also one of the most wasteful times of the year. Across Canada, household food waste spikes during November and December as we host gatherings, prepare large meals, and stock up “just in case.” While abundance is part of the season’s charm, reducing food waste is one of the easiest ways to celebrate more sustainably — and it’s something every household can do without sacrificing flavour or tradition.
Whether you're planning a holiday dinner, hosting a potluck, or preparing festive meals for the week, a few thoughtful choices can help you stretch your ingredients, save money, and support a healthier planet. Here are practical ways to enjoy a sustainable celebration while keeping your holiday table abundant and delicious.
Plan Your Meal with Purpose
A sustainable holiday feast starts with mindful planning. Before shopping, consider how many people you're feeding and what dishes you truly need. It’s easy to overestimate, especially when holiday excitement sets in. Creating a simple menu and sticking to a shopping list helps reduce impulse buys and ensures you’re only bringing home what you’ll actually use.
If you’re hosting a potluck, coordinate dishes with your guests so you don’t end up with duplicate sides or excess desserts. Not only does this reduce waste, but it also helps balance the overall meal — and gives everyone the chance to contribute something meaningful.
Choose Quality Over Quantity
When it comes to preparing a holiday meal, quality ingredients can make a significant difference. Choosing locally sourced meats, seasonal produce, and fresh items means you’re bringing home food that lasts longer, tastes better, and often comes with less packaging. Canadian families are increasingly turning to farm-to-door services for holiday meats because the freshness and natural flavour help ensure nothing goes uneaten.
High-quality ingredients also elevate simple recipes, giving you the confidence to prepare fewer dishes without feeling like your table is lacking. A well-prepared roast, a vibrant side salad, and fresh vegetables can feel just as festive as a dozen platters.
Store Food Properly Before and After the Feast
Proper storage is key to reducing food waste, especially during the holidays. When ingredients arrive home, refrigerate or freeze them promptly. Use clear containers when possible so you can see what's inside — this helps prevent forgotten leftovers.
After the holiday meal, portion leftovers into individual servings to keep food fresher for longer. If you know you won’t eat something within two to three days, label and freeze it for quicker meals later on. Turkey, beef roasts, mashed potatoes, and even cooked vegetables freeze beautifully.
Embrace Creative Leftovers
One of the best ways to cut down on food waste is to rethink how you use leftovers. Instead of reheating the same plate the next day, transform extra holiday ingredients into exciting new dishes. Leftover turkey makes fantastic soups, sandwiches, and casseroles. Roasted vegetables can be turned into hearty winter salads or blended into creamy soups. Even gravy can be used to add richness to stews or meat pies.
If you have a variety of odds and ends, try creating a “holiday hash” by sautéing chopped meat, potatoes, and vegetables with herbs. It’s a comforting meal that brings out the best of your leftovers while keeping your fridge clutter-free.
Share the Abundance
If you’ve prepared more than your household can eat, consider sharing. Send guests home with containers of leftovers or donate unopened, shelf-stable products to a local food bank. The holidays are a time for generosity, and sharing food reduces waste while supporting people in your community.
Compost What You Can
Even with the best planning, some scraps are unavoidable. Composting fruit peels, vegetable ends, and other organic waste is a sustainable alternative to throwing them in the garbage. Many Canadian cities offer green bin programs, but even if yours doesn’t, home composting is easier than ever with compact indoor and outdoor systems.
Celebrate with Intention
Reducing food waste doesn’t mean sacrificing the traditions or flavours that make the holidays special. It simply means celebrating with intention — choosing fresh, high-quality ingredients, planning meals wisely, and using every last bite in creative ways. Sustainable celebrations are not just better for the environment; they help us appreciate our food, support local producers, and enjoy the season in a meaningful, mindful way.
Order the best for your Holidays
