Person making a shopping list on their phone while browsing their refrigerator

Before you head out to the store, a little planning can make a big difference. Impulse purchases, forgotten ingredients at home, vague shopping lists, and irresistible bulk deals all lead to food that ends up uneaten. Instead of relying on memory or impulse, you can map out your week, save time and money, reduce waste, and stay organized. Learn strategies for meal planning, making a list, and buying only what you need.

Strategies for Smarter Shopping

  • Check what you already have — Take a quick look through your fridge, freezer, and pantry before shopping and making a plan. Note which ingredients you already have, especially those that need to be used soon (ie. fresh produce, open jars of sauce, and even leftovers). Build these ingredients into your plan for the week.
    Check out our Eat This First sign to keep these need-to-use items organized.
  • Make a plan — Before heading to the store or market, make a plan for the week's meals, including nights when you will be too busy to cook or will go out. Be sure to build in the ingredients you already have! Even a rough plan helps avoid overbuying.
    Download and print this shopping list to help guide your plan.
  • Make a specific list — Write down exact quantities of what you need, not just item names. For example, "3 chicken breasts" is better than "chicken". A detailed list keeps you focused and reduces impulse purchases.
  • Resist bulk overbuying — Bulk deals are only a deal if you'll actually use the food in time. For perishable items, buying less more often helps ensure your food is fresh and minimizes the chances of it going bad.
  • Shop fresh more frequently — If possible, instead of one big weekly haul, consider smaller, more frequent trips, especially for perishable items like produce, dairy, and bread. This helps you buy what you'll actually eat before it spoils.
  • Buy loose produce — Choose individual fruits and vegetables instead of pre-bagged quantities. This lets you buy exactly the amount you need and reduces the chance of items going to waste.
    Consult our storage guide to help keep your produce fresher, longer.
  • Use what you have creatively — Build meals around the ingredients you have and be creative with substitutions based on what is available. Mobile apps and online meal planners can help you track what's in your kitchen, suggest fun and simple recipes based on what you have, and even generate shopping lists.

Shopping Resources

Shopping list on the fridge

Shopping List

Shopping List with Meals in Mind

Before you shop, use this downloadable sheet to help plan the meals you’ll eat at home and list items needed. Make sure to list what's already in your fridge, freezer, and cupboards for ingredients first!
Shopping List
prepared food on the table

Event Planning

Guest-imator Tool for Food Gatherings

Holiday meals and dinner parties are common sources of food waste — it's easy to over-prepare when cooking for a crowd. Use the NRDC Guest-imator tool to calculate the right amount of food for your guest count, helping you prepare just enough without excessive leftovers.
Guest-imator

Watch this short video of our Shopping List with Meals in Mind tool in action!