Here at Nummy HQ, we’re sheltering-in-place, social distancing, and working remotely just like most of the country. While we are all facing unique challenges these days, our family is thankful that we are safe in our home and able to weather this situation together. 

Sadly, not everyone is facing the same comfort. Approxiately 40 million Americans face hungerdaily in 2019, and 1 in 7 children don’t know where their next meal will come from. COVID-19 is exacerbating food insecurity among our most vulnerable citizens, and the UN warns that the current pandemic could affect the global food supply chain. 

Although those statistics may sound scary, there are many ways we can work together to combat food insecurity! 

Enter Meal Planning

Here’s another fact that may surprise you: up to 40% of the US food supply is wasted. That’s right  -more than ¼ of your grocery budget may be thrown away.That’s a lot of food - and money - over the course of one year! 

Fortunately, meal planning / meal prep can help you save money and cut down on food waste. With more Americans cooking at home (flour shortage, anyone?) during COVID-19, it’s important to know how to prepare, store, and use your groceries to get the most out of your food. Here are some quick tips to help you maximize meal planning. 

Make a Plan.This probably goes without saying, but it’s important to have a plan and a listbefore you go to the grocery store. Don’t rely on memory to call up your favorite recipes or know exactly what is in your pantry. There are plenty of apps that can help you keep track of your groceries, or you can go the old-fashioned route and make a list. 

Shop in Season. Seasonal fruits and vegetables are less expensive and fresher than items that are out of season. One key reason for this is that out-of-season items are shipped farther, which adds to cost. 

Chop, Dice, and Slice Once a Week.An hour of prep can save precious minutes throughout the workweek. Set aside time to chop veggies, pre-cook grains and beans, and even pre-cook meats. If you want more in-depth meal planning tips, check out this video from Downshiftology. 

Assemble Ahead of Time.Many of your favorite recipes can be assembled or even cooked ahead of time. Nummyware can take the hassle out of meal prep because it’s designed to go from freezer to oven (or microwave) to table.  Simply assemble your meal, pop it in the fridge or freezer, and then pull it out when you’re ready to heat. It’s like takeout without the cost - or waste! 

Prep a Meal, Feed a Family 

During this time of uncertainty, Nummy is more committed than ever to helping those in need. That’s why we’re partnering with 1% for the Planet to help fight hunger. With every purchase of Nummyware, we’ll donate a portion of our proceeds to Conscious Alliance, a national nonprofit dedicated to help communities in crisis through hunger relief and youth empowerment. This amazing company provides backpacks filled with food for kids in need, helps stock food pantries, and coordinates garden programs in low-income areas. 

Dr. Seuss is credited as saying, “To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.”  One person can’t solve hunger, but together we can all take small steps to fight hunger, reduce food waste, and make the world Nummy for all.