In a world where sustainability is increasingly becoming a top priority, addressing the issue of food waste at the household level is an important step towards a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. One effective way to approach this challenge is by setting SMART goals – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Let’s explore how to make food waste reduction in your household a SMART goal.
Specific
To make your goal specific, clearly define what aspect of food waste reduction you want to address. Instead of a vague goal like “reduce food waste,” specify whether you want to focus on reducing kitchen scraps, unused groceries or leftovers. For example, your specific goal could be, “Reduce kitchen scraps by composting and recycling organic waste.” or “Making sure all items on my groceries list find a use.”
Measurable
Establish measurable criteria to track your progress. Without measurable targets, it’s challenging to gauge whether you’re making a significant impact. Consider quantifiable metrics, such as the percentage reduction in food thrown away. For instance, “Decrease weekly food waste by 25% within the next two months.” or “Complete a food waste audit.”
Achievable
Ensure that your goal is realistic and attainable. Setting overly ambitious goals may lead to frustration and discouragement. Assess your household’s current practices, available resources and your commitment level. If you currently waste a significant amount of food, a more achievable goal might be, “Gradually decrease food waste by 10% each month.”
Relevant
Make sure your goal aligns with your overall commitment to sustainability and your household’s priorities. If composting aligns with your values, make that a central part of your goal. For instance, “Incorporate composting into our daily routine to align with our commitment to environmental stewardship.”
Time-bound
Set a realistic timeframe for achieving your goal. This creates a sense of urgency and helps you stay focused. Without a deadline, it’s easy to procrastinate. An example of a time-bound goal could be, “Implement a comprehensive food waste reduction plan over the next three months, with monthly progress assessments.”
By turning food waste reduction into a SMART goal, you’re not only making a commitment but also creating a roadmap for sustainable lifestyle. Remember that small, consistent changes can lead to significant improvements over time. Monitor your progress regularly, celebrate achievements and adjust your approach as needed.
As we approach the final days of 2023, the clock is ticking, and the deadline for eligible charitable donation tax credits is just around the corner on December 31. Beyond the impact on the community, there’s a personal benefit to your end-of-year generosity. By donating to Second Harvest before December 31, you not only help those in need but also receive a tax receipt for your donation to reduce the amount of tax you owe.
What are eligible donations?
The first step is understanding what is considered an eligible donation. In Canada, only contributions made to registered charities qualify for these credits. It’s important to verify the charitable status of an organization before making a donation to ensure it complies with the requirements set by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Donors can easily check an organization’s charitable status on the CRA website or contact them directly.
Eligible donations include but not limited to:
Financial donations to registered charities.
Donations of assets such as property, stocks, bonds, works of art etc.
Tickets to charitable dinners and events.
How are charitable tax credits calculated?
The charitable tax credit is a two-tiered system. Donors receive a federal tax credit and, in provinces that collect income tax, an additional provincial tax credit. The credit is calculated as a percentage of the donation, with the first $200 eligible for a lower rate and any amount exceeding $200 eligible for a higher rate.
Charitable tax credits are non-refundable, meaning you must claim your other credits first. If that amount is sufficient to bring your tax payable to zero, you can carry forward unused charitable tax credits for up to five years. This flexibility allows individuals to maximize their tax benefits over time.
How do I claim the tax credits?
To claim charitable tax credits, you must obtain an official donation receipt from the charity. This receipt serves as proof of the donation and includes essential details such as the name and address of the charity, the amount donated, and the date of the contribution.
Second Harvest’s online donation platform ensures a seamless process, and you’ll receive your tax receipt via email within minutes. It’s a hassle-free way to give back and support the vision of a hunger-free future.
Double your impact this holiday season
We are thrilled to announce that our long-time supporter, The Nikita Foundation, is generously matching donations until the end of the year. That means your $1 donation becomes a powerful force that helps provide over 6 meals for those in need.
BONUS Tips: If you donate financial assets like stocks or bonds that have appreciated in value, there is no capital gains tax on the gift. You can claim your credit for both the principal and the gain.
The material listed above is intended to provide general information and should not be construed as legal or other professional advice. The above should not be used without first reviewing it with your own legal or other professional advisors to determine its suitability for your unique estate planning situation.
This holiday season, give the gift of joy while making a meaningful impact. Second Harvest’s very own gift guide features a wide range of items, from elegant home goods and delicious treats to unique experiences. The best part? A portion of the proceeds from each purchase goes directly towards our food rescue and redistribution efforts, making a warm healthy meal within reach for everyone.
24 GOOD DEEDS Charity Advent Calendar
Nothing gets us into the spirit of the season than the 24 GOOD DEEDS Charity Advent Calendar. Each door will reveal a different charity project where your support is making an impact. Available in both print and digital, the calendar is a truly heartwarming countdown to the holidays. Every calendar purchase will help rescue around 2 pounds of healthy surplus food.
Designed to spark joy in your everyday life, Brightfield candles are hand poured in small batches in Toronto without parabens, phthalates or dyes. Whether you want to feel energized, stay focused or unwind, there’s a scent for your every mood and a gift for everyone on your list. For every candle sold, $1 will be donated to Second Harvest.
Awaken your inner chef with the Zero Food Waste Apron from Cooks Who Feed, designed in collaboration with Second Harvest. Cooks Who Feed ethically produces kitchen textiles with a give-back, providing meals to alleviate hunger. For every apron sold, 100 meals are provided to those suffering from food insecurity. These aprons are handmade in India, where the company provides safe, fair trade work to marginalized women.
These functional companions in the kitchen are made from 100% organic cotton canvas with an adjustable neck strap and plenty of pockets.
Join us on Monday, April 22, 2024 for an unforgettable experience where you can swirl, sip, and savor the rich flavors of over 400 exquisite wines from more than 100 renowned California wineries. This is the perfect gift for the wine lover on your list (or for yourself!).
Fièra Luxury Concealer is the only concealer of its kind for women over 40, providing all-day coverage that never gets cakey or settles into fine lines. Formulated with hyaluronic acid, collagen and peptides for radiant and youthful skin, this product is paraben and cruelty-free.
Carry a Cupanion Tote Bag to show your commitment to positive change! The reusable bag is made from recycled plastic bottles and comes with the Fill it Forward app. Every time you reuse, track the environmental impact and unlock charitable donations to projects around the world. #AlwaysGiving
A set of good knives is key to improving your cooking skills, and the Kilne Knife Set is the perfect gift. The knives are made with high grade chromium German steel and an ergonomic grip for extra safety and comfort. All Kilne knives come with a lifetime guarantee. With each purchase of the knife set, one meal will be donated to those in need.
Know someone who has a sweet tooth? Gift them Lindt’s special edition chocolate bars, available in three flavours: milk chocolate, milk chocolate hazelnut, and milk chocolate salted caramel. For every Lindt One for One bar purchased, Lindt Canada will donate one meal to those in need through Second Harvest. Doing good has never been this sweet!
From plates to flatware and linens featuring timeless elegant patterns, Misette has everything you need for your next dinner party. Show your style and create the desired ambience by using the complete set or mixing and matching items from different collections. With each tableware set sold, two meals will be donated to people facing food insecurity.
Stay warm and stylish this winter with Muttonhead’s Canadian Made clothing. This fall Second Harvest teamed up with Muttonhead to create ‘The Odd Club Collection’. This collection is designed to celebrate “odd” or misshapen produce, which are typically thrown out, and Second Harvest’s ability to get this produce in the hands of families in need. 10% of the sales from this collaboration are donated back to Second Harvest.
Toast to the season with Noble Vines Cabernet Sauvignon 337 vine stock originated in Bordeaux, rated BEST BUY and scored 92 Points by Wine Enthusiast, October 2023. This wine has rich, dark fruit flavors and fine tannins and pairs well with braised short ribs, grilled steaks and veggie burgers.
Savour the authentic Trini scotch bonnet pepper sauce, made locally in Burlington, Ontario! With its balance of flavor, heat and tang, Red Cap Hot Sauce will bring more depth to your dishes, giving them a new twist. $0.50 from every bottle of Red Cap Hot Sauce purchased will be donated to Second Harvest.
Indulge in an exquisite culinary experience and an exciting surprise concert at The Rescue Party! On May 26, 2024, the best of Toronto’s food scene will once again join forces with Canada’s most beloved artists in support of Second Harvest. Last year’s event was hosted by Kardinal Offishall and featured performances by Canadian icons Sam Roberts and Serena Ryder. Don’t miss this celebration of the finest culinary and musical talents, all in one night!
Each Wonderkind Holiday Surprise box includes Made-in-Canada artisanal products and treats. Wonderkind’s goal is simple: make gifting better, and they’ve achieved that through supporting small makers and local economies, as well as encouraging sustainable, circular practices.
Freeze it. Bake it. Boil it. Microwave it. New Ziploc® Endurables™ are designed to go directly from freezer, to oven, to table. Made with durable and reusable platinum silicone they withstand extreme temperatures. Use to bake (up to 425ºF), sous vide, or provide protection in sub-zero temperatures. They are mindfully designed to be continuously used, reused, then recycled.
Don’t feel like cooking after all the shopping you’ve done? Papa Johns created the Shaq-a-Roni to feed big appetites and make a big impact. For every Shaq-a-Roni sold through October 16 to December 31, 2023, Papa Johns will donate $1 to Second Harvest to provide 3 healthy meals to people and agencies in need.
These peanut butter oatmeal cookies have the perfect balance of flavours and textures: They’re sweet and nutty, chewy with a hint of crunch from the oatmeal and chunky peanut butter. Bake them, cool them and drop them in a fancy jar—you’ve just got a handmade gift that can delight everyone!
A huge thank you to Joan Treacy, a longstanding volunteer at 5N2, one of our Harvest Kitchens partners, for providing us with this recipe!
Ingredients
1 cup shortening 1 cup white sugar 1 cup brown sugar 2 eggs 1 cup chunky peanut butter 2 cups flour ½ teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 cup rolled oats
Instructions
Grease cookie sheet. Beat together the shortening and sugars until fluffy. Add eggs and beat well. Blend in peanut butter.
Sift dry ingredients together and stir gradually into the wet ingredient mixture. Stir in rolled oats. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place on cookie sheet and press with a floured fork to create the crisscross pattern.
On November 9, Second Harvest’s 2023 Annual General Meeting took place at our headquarters and was livestreamed to attendees in other provinces. It was an important opportunity to recognize the tremendous support from our partners, donors and volunteers, as well as showcase the impact we made together in 2023.
Over the past 12 months, Second Harvest not only met but surpassed many of the goals we set for ourselves in our 3-year strategic plan. This is a strong testament to the importance of collaboration and partnerships in the fight against hunger and food waste. We invite you to take a look at our latest Annual Report or watch the recorded livestream to learn more about our inspiring partners and accomplishments.
In addition to the formal proceedings, the AGM fostered a sense of community among attendees. Networking opportunities allowed supporters to connect, share ideas and explore potential avenues for further collaboration.
Among the highlights of the event were the interactive activations on site. In Freshness Face-Off, participants’ tastebuds were challenged to see if they can identify whether a food item is before its best before date or past it. This not only heightens awareness about the lifespan of different food items but also emphasizes the significance of preventing avoidable waste.
Another engaging activation was Taste or Toss, a digital game requiring players to swipe left or right to decide how far past best-before dates various food items are safe to eat. This game aims to dispel misconceptions surrounding best before dates and encourage responsible consumption, reducing food waste in the process.
It’s been a busy year at Second Harvest. We rescued and redistributed 74.4 million pounds of food and made nutrition more accessible to over 4.8 million people across Canada, averting 241 million pounds of greenhouse gases from entering the environment in the process.
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