It was fantastic to read about some of the creative ways rental hosts and travelers are working to save surplus food in this Bluedot Living article. Vacation Donations was honored to be a part of the roundup. I was particularly impressed with a group of Airbnb hosts in Louisiana who banded together to connect their guests with the local food pantry. I do the same in Indian Rocks Beach and would love to be part of a bigger group. I’m working on it. Below are some tips from the article by Kris Ann Valdez, but be sure to read the whole thing!
What Can You Do?
Vacationers
- Buy what you’ll use, use what you buy: Before your trip, try to eat, freeze, or give away the food in your fridge at home. When you arrive at your destination, buy only what you and your fellow travelers can eat. (Remember, it’s better to buy too little than too much!)
- Cook and prioritize perishables: Cook most of your meals to minimize waste, using perishable items first so they don’t spoil.
- Leftovers to-go: If you’re driving back home, freeze leftovers like fruit and dairy, then use them as ice packs to keep the rest of your leftovers cool on the road. If you’re flying, pack extra snacks in your luggage.
Hosts
- Create a system for donations: Connect with local food pantries and set up a simple system for guests to donate unused nonperishable food. Label a shelf in the pantry or fridge where guests can leave unused food for the next visitors.
- Offer composting: Check if your local municipality collects compost. If so, provide a compost bin for guests. If not, offer on-site composting like worm bins for fruit and vegetable scraps.
- Communicate: Whatever you decide, clearly communicate the procedures to your guests through check-in/checkout instructions, a guidebook, or a welcome message.
This is an important way that everyone can help their community! It’s so easy to give away what you don’t need!
By thinking of others, we become better people! 💖