October is Food Waste Prevention Month, and September 28 – October 2 is Food Waste Prevention Week, a time to take a closer look at how much food goes to waste and what we can do to prevent it.
At TPSS Co-op, reducing food waste is part of our everyday work. As a community-owned grocery store, we believe in using resources thoughtfully and keeping food in use for as long as possible. That means looking for ways to prevent food from becoming waste in the first place, and finding responsible ways to handle food that we can no longer sell.
What happens to excess food at TPSS?
Produce scraps go to compost
The produce department generates plenty of material that isn’t suitable for sale, from corn husks and vegetable trimmings to produce that has gone bad. Instead of sending it to the landfill, we send it to Compost Crew, which collects our food scraps for composting. In FY26, TPSS diverted 13,011 pounds of food scraps from the waste stream by composting.
Our small size and buying strategies prevent food from going bad
One of the advantages of being a relatively small grocery store with skilled department managers and buyers and a community of engaged shoppers is that our merchandise turns over quickly. It’s unusual for food to sit on our shelves long enough to spoil. When food does pass its expiration date but is still safe and appropriate to eat, it goes to our staff, who can take it home and use it.
Buying in bulk can help prevent waste at home
Have you ever bought an entire box or jar of an ingredient for one recipe, used a small portion, and then watched the rest sit in your pantry or refrigerator until it eventually goes bad?
Our bulk section can help. Buying in bulk means you can purchase just the amount you need, whether that’s a teaspoon of a spice, a few ounces of an ingredient for a recipe, or enough of a staple to get you through the week. TPSS has more than 400 bulk items, including oil, spices, honey, feta, tofu, grains, beans, candy, and much more. Buying only what you need can mean less food sitting unused in your pantry or refrigerator, and less packaging, too.
Want to do more? Become a Food Rescuer
If you’re passionate about reducing food waste beyond your own kitchen, there are opportunities to get involved locally. The Montgomery County Food Council’s Food Rescue Network program connects volunteers with opportunities to rescue surplus food and help get it to people who can use it. Food rescuers help keep edible food out of the waste stream while supporting local food access efforts. Want to become a Food Rescuer? Learn more here.