Thanksgiving is one of Canada’s most cherished holidays: a time to share meals, express gratitude, and create memories. Yet it’s also among the most wasteful. Each fall, millions of pounds of edible food end up in landfills. Oversized grocery hauls, forgotten leftovers, and untouched “just-in-case” dishes all drive a holiday spike in food waste.
This year, let’s change that. With some planning and creativity, you can have a sustainable Thanksgiving, full of flavour, gratitude, and zero guilt.
1. Plan Your Menu with Purpose
Before going to the store, check what you have. Base your meals on those ingredients and buy only what’s needed. If it won’t be eaten, leave it off the menu.
💡 Pro tip: Use a “leftovers map” (if you’re cooking turkey, think ahead about how you’ll reuse it in sandwiches, soups, or casseroles).
2. Shop Local and Support Farmers
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to support local growers and producers. Not only does local food travel fewer miles (reducing its carbon footprint), but it also helps small farms thrive.
At Ten Servings, we work with Canadian farmers year-round to give perfectly good produce, including “ugly” or imperfect ones, a second chance. Events like Ugly Potato Day remind us that beauty doesn’t equal value. So, when you’re shopping for your feast, don’t overlook the funny-shaped carrots or bumpy potatoes: they taste just as amazing!
3. Embrace Imperfection in the Kitchen
A bruised apple can still make a perfect pie. A crooked potato can still make smooth, fluffy mash. The truth is, most food waste happens because of appearance, not quality.
This Thanksgiving, cook with confidence, not perfectionism. If you end up with extra potatoes, try turning the peels into crispy potato chips or using the leftovers in mashed potato pancakes.
4. Store and Save Like a Pro
Once the feast is over, store your leftovers right away to keep them fresh longer. Divide large portions into smaller containers for easier freezing and reheating. Label everything; future-you will thank you.
If you’ve got more food than you can eat, consider sharing it with neighbours or donating shelf-stable items to your local food bank.
🥕 Bonus tip: Save veggie scraps like carrot tops, onion ends, and potato peels in a freezer bag to make a rich homemade broth later. It’s an easy way to get more out of every ingredient.
5. Give Thanks and Give Back
Thanksgiving is about gratitude, and one of the most powerful ways to show it is by giving back. Across Canada, many families are struggling with food insecurity, unsure where their next meal will come from.
Through our Feed a Family plans, Ten Servings helps provide nutritious meals to Canadians in need, turning community generosity into lasting impact. This Thanksgiving, your small action can make a big difference.
💛 Join the movement. Visit www.tenservings.ca to learn how you can help fight food waste in Canada and make sure every family has a reason to give thanks.
This Thanksgiving, let’s celebrate more mindfully!