Mobile apps have been devoted to giving users the tools needed to minimize food waste.  These apps help the consumer and business use ingredients before they go bad, plan meals and shopping lists in advance, and connect food distributors with need-based organizations.  Keep these in mind during the holidays when you’re tempted to splurge.

Love Food Hate Waste

This app will help you manage portions, plan meals, track purchased and currently owned ingredients.  It also has tons of recipes.  Save food and money; download the free Love Food Hate Waste app.  Available for iPhone and Android.

22 million tons

22 million tons is the amount of food wasted each year.  This free app provides weekly shopping lists and menus that use all the perishables within the week to effectively waste less food and money.  Available for iPad.

Food Cowboy

Food Cowboy links distribution trucks, food businesses and need-based organizations like food banks.  Right now, it is only a website, but soon the app will have information and notifications about shipments in the area that were rejected by the receiver.  The need-based organizations can opt to accept them and feed hungry families.

Green Egg Shopper

The lite version of this app is free.  It allows users to create shopping lists and set the “use by” and expiration dates for items as they are bought.  It’s meant to warn users when items need to be used and prevent overbuying by storing previous shopping lists. Available for iPhone.

Wise up on Waste

This app by Unilever, is for professional kitchens to track food waste.  It provides tips for keeping food and reveals where businesses can save money by changing purchases and waste habits.  Available for iPhone and Android and in the UK only.

Gojee

Search for recipes by ingredient to use food that will soon go bad or to prevent that grocery trip for one item.  Use this app or website for maximum efficiency in the kitchen!

 

If you find these apps useful or if you information about additional resources, leave a comment below!

Related Links:

http://www.foodrecoverynetwork.org/blog/2012/11/02/prevent-food-waste-in-your-daily-life/

http://england.lovefoodhatewaste.com/content/food-waste-recycling-what-do-food-you-cant-eat

http://www.earthtechling.com/2012/08/student-designed-flashfood-app-reduces-food-waste/

http://www.wastedfood.com/tips/

http://nycbigapps.com/static/food-scraps-brief