It's time for another kitchen hack, and today's is all about shopping on a budget while eliminating food waste.Did you know that 40% of the food produced in our country goes uneaten?Alice Henneman, MS, RDN, is working to change that.Her article, 14 Ways Consumers Can Reduce Food Waste, offers a bunch of simple strategies for using what you buy at the grocery store or farmers' market before it goes bad. This article really got me thinking, and it actually inspired today's kitchen hack.What is that hack, exactly? Why, it's to pick a fruit of the week.Here's how it works.When you're at the market, choose a bulk fruit for the week. Usually produce that's in season is offered at a reduced rate and is generally high in quality. Did you see a bag of tangerines on sale? Or a bag of apples?These options are great for stretching a grocery budget, and in order to make the most of your purchase (and eat it all before it goes bad), you need to get creative. Focus on that fruit by dubbing it your "fruit of the week." By choosing a fruit of the week, you have a greater chance of eating that item and you can find a lot of interesting ways to use it.Right now my “fruit of the week” is honey tangerines. I eat them raw for breakfast, toss wedges into salads, and peel another for dessert. Last week my "fruit of the week" was berries. Again, I ate them raw for breakfast (sometimes I smashed them on toast) and I snacked on them with yogurt in the afternoons and evenings. Use the free recipe database to find lots of fun and different ways to prepare and serve your "fruit of the week" and make sure that none of what you buy goes to waste.Don't miss the partner to this kitchen hack, 2-Minute Berry Compote, a member-exclusive recipe that is a perfect way to showcase your fruit of the week. It's even got a brand-new handout!Speaking of printable handouts, here's one with today's kitchen hack!Don't miss the other posts in this series:

• Kitchen Tools
• Freeze It!
• Selecting and Presenting Whole Grains
• Double Duty Greens
• Cook and Walk at the Same Time
• Inspiration and Meal Perfection
• Shortcuts to More Fruits and Vegetables
• Single Skillet Meals
• Add Beans to Meals
• Baked Lemons
• Equipment Review: Silicone Oven Mitts

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