As we hit peak resolution season, two goals rise to the top year after year: saving money and eating healthier. What if we told you there’s one simple habit that supports both while also being better for the planet?

Let’s talk about food waste, meal planning, and choosing food grown closer to home.

The Hidden Cost of Good Intentions

The average American family of four wastes about $1,500 a year on food that never gets eaten. We’ve all been there - buying that bagged salad with the best intentions, only to toss it after it browns in the back of the fridge.

Food waste doesn’t just impact your grocery budget. It also means perfectly good food ends up in landfills, contributing to environmental strain and missed opportunities to nourish ourselves and our communities.

The good news? There’s a simple (and flexible) solution.

Meal Planning: Less Waste, More Wins

Meal planning doesn’t mean rigid schedules or eating the same leftovers five days in a row. Instead, think of it as a mindset shift - one that starts with what you already have.

A few ways to make meal planning work for real life:

• Take stock of your fridge and pantry before you shop
• Plan meals around ingredients that need to be used first
• Mix eating in with eating out
• Leave room for flexibility and cravings

By building meals this way, you reduce unnecessary purchases, stretch ingredients further, and keep more money in your pocket. Bonus: fewer forgotten foods mean less waste heading to the landfill.

Eating Cleaner Starts Closer to Home

If one of your resolutions is to eat cleaner or feel better in your body this year, where your food comes from matters just as much as what’s on your plate.

When you choose locally grown, in-season produce, your food spends less time traveling and more time retaining its nutrients. Many fruits and vegetables in conventional grocery stores travel for weeks before landing on shelves, losing nutritional value along the way. That salad? It may not be as nourishing as it could be.

Produce from local and regional farmers - like what you’ll find at Retaaza Farm Fresh Markets - is often harvested just days before you receive it. That means:

• More nutrients
• Better flavor
• Food that truly fuels your health goals

Supporting local farmers also strengthens regional food systems and keeps food dollars circulating in the community. A win for everyone!

One Habit, Multiple Benefits

When you pair meal planning with local, seasonal eating, you:

• Save money by buying with intention
• Waste less food
• Eat fresher, more nutrient-dense meals
• Support Georgia farmers and local food access

That’s a resolution worth keeping.

TL;DR

• Use what you have
• Take stock before you shop
• Plan meals with flexibility
• Choose local, in-season foods when you can

P.S. Keep an eye out at the beginning of each month when we share what’s coming into season in Georgia. Your future meals (and wallet) will thank you.

‍