Almost hidden in the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand is a simple command. John 6:12 says, “After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, ‘Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.’” Have you ever noticed that part? It’s easy to miss, especially tucked away after the amazing story of Jesus’ power to feed thousands with a meager five barley loaves and two fish. I believe this seemingly simple instruction holds the power to transform our broken world and spark hope in the face of injustice and decay.
In a world that seems to prioritize convenience over conservation, Jesus’ words remind us to gather our leftovers so that nothing is wasted. Why do you think reducing waste was important to him? Didn’t Jesus often speak about the abundance in God’s Kingdom? After much contemplation, I wonder if it’s actually a matter of respect for God. We have been tasked to serve as stewards of God’s Creation, and everything in our world belongs to God. Whether or not people are starving or our environment is in crisis, God wants us to participate in His mission. Our participation with God closes the circuit of mutual love, and I believe that is why God pursues us with such passion.
So if Jesus commanded us to be mindful about collecting our leftovers and wasting nothing, I think it’s clear that the matter is important to God. I want to be eager to participate in anything that is important to God! We may not know God’s reasons, and those reasons might very well be different now than at the time when Jesus first spoke the command. As for me, I desire to participate without requiring proof that people in the world are facing the injustice of hunger or that Creation is truly groaning under the pressure of decay. Those factors have changed since Jesus walked the Earth, and they will likely continue to change for ages to come. But nothing can change Jesus’ command to us—gather our leftovers and do what we can to ensure nothing is wasted.
As it turns out, I’ve actually put a lot of time and effort into devising good ways to waste less when it comes to food. I started food blogging back in 2015, and began seeking the reasons Jesus emphasized the importance of not wasting our leftovers in a 2021 article on my personal blog. Today, I’m going to share some of the actionable steps and habits I’ve built into my life to reduce the amount of food wasted in our household. Let me promise you that with respect for God in mind as I put in a little extra effort to follow the command, I’m receiving a generous abundance of loving connection with Jesus every time. I hope that is reason enough for you to consider giving one of these action items a try! Happy Hope Month!
Use a Meal Planning System
Years ago, I downloaded a meal-planning app to organize my recipes and plan my shopping lists. Reducing waste wasn’t really on my radar, but being intentional about the food we purchase is actually a great first step in reducing our household waste. Not only does it help me save time and money, but it has really enabled me to develop positive habits in regard to preventing food waste.
Compost
Whether or not you have a vegetable garden, composting is hands-down the best way to turn your food scraps into “a pleasing aroma to God.” That’s because the compost heap transforms food waste into nourishing food for Creation! Composting can be as simple as making a pile, and it can also be as fancy as using a tumbling container. Stick to the 50/50 rule for best results—50% green material (fresh, not decomposed) and 50% brown material (dead vegetation like dried up leaves or newspaper). If you don’t want to compost in your own backyard, fill up a big bucket of scraps and add it to the compost piles out at the Grace Gardens!
Get Your Family Involved
After struggling to get our meal leftovers eaten up by myself, I decided to hang a chalkboard in our kitchen where I can display our weekly menu. In the column for Lunches, I list out what we have on hand—including any dinner leftovers. I even made a deal with my middle-school son to pack his lunches with the caveat that he helps me eat up our dinner leftovers! This strategy has really worked wonders, and the kids feel good about seeing their options and having an opportunity to make their own choices.
Share With Your Backyard Buddies
Don’t tell Pastor Barry, but I’ve been in a decade-long dispute with the rabbits who have taken up residence in my backyard. They think they should have first dibs on my garden produce, and I disagree. Haha! As a compromise, I put up some chicken wire around my beds and started sharing more of my scraps with them instead. The rabbits love when I offer them the cut-off ends of lettuce, free of judgment! I also set out extra berries for the birds anytime we have more than we can finish up in time. I’m surely only scratching the surface! What other ways can you think of to share with your backyard buddies?
Grow From Your Scraps
Did you know that you can plant the ends of celery, lettuce, and more directly in your garden soil? My mind was absolutely blown when I realized that would work! These types of plants just keep on generating until their season comes to a close. Give it a try!
Transform the Leftovers
I get it—eating the same thing over and over is monotonous and causes burnout. I’m definitely a fan of variety when it comes to food, and so I can understand when my family is less-than-enthusiastic about eating last night’s dinner for lunch. One of the best ways I combat the complaints is to make something new out of the leftovers. My fam loves it when I come up with a hot, cheesy sandwich or an easy loaded flatbread—and they don’t even know any of it is made from leftovers most of the time!
Homemade Stocks and Broths
Vegetable scraps are perfect for making flavorful stocks and broths that can be used in a variety of ways in the kitchen. I have been known to fill up a container in the freezer with the cut ends of onions, carrots, celery, and more to save for when I have enough to make a stock. Just toss those frozen scraps all in a crockpot, add some water and salt, and cook away! Strain out the solids, and you’ve got a better-than-storebought option for your next meal.
Preserve It
Food preservation doesn’t have to be as involved as full-on canning. Cucumbers and onions can be turned into Quick Refrigerator Pickles that can be served as snacks or added to yummy salads and grain bowls. I have also preserved my garden abundance by roasting diced veggies into a flavorful relish that can be portioned and frozen—which I then use in my charcuterie spreads, sauces, and sandwiches to add a little zing.
Donate
When you find yourself with extra shelf-stable goods and don’t expect to use them up before they expire, remember to fill a bag and donate them to your local food pantry. The Grace Care Center is always a great option and will graciously accept and lovingly administer all donations!
Organize & Inventory
Knowing what you have on hand and devising a plan to use it will go a long way toward trimming the excess in your household. Some meal-planning apps even have a pantry feature if you want to get sophisticated about inventory tracking, but I find it particularly helpful to simply peek in the fridge and freezer and make an inventory list. I can then search my recipe database by ingredients for ideas to use it all up!
I hope this list of ideas is helpful as you resolve to take steps toward reducing food waste in your own home. Give a little extra effort to God, and let these new, positive habits spark a deeper, more fulfilling connection with our faithful friend, Jesus. Our small offerings, measured together, can mean huge hope for our brothers and sisters facing the injustice of hunger.