Here’s Why You Should Consider Buying Frozen Produce Over Fresh Right Now

Key Points

• The majority of food waste happens at the household level. According to the United Nations, the world generated more than a billion tons of waste in 2022 alone.

• The good news is that there's something people can do to help. Studies show that frozen foods are wasted far less frequently than fresh food, making them a simple and effective way to cut down on waste.

• Frozen options also offer added benefits beyond reducing food waste. They are more affordable, have a long shelf life, and provide comparable or even higher nutrient levels.

Humans waste a remarkable amount of food. According to the United Nations, in 2022, the world generated more than 1 billion tons of food waste — approximately 291 pounds per person. This, the UN noted, is equivalent to "one-fifth of all food available to consumers." The majority of this waste is produced at the household level, meaning that individuals truly hold significant power in this situation.

“Food waste is a global tragedy. Millions will go hungry today as food is wasted across the world,” Inger Andersen, executive director of the UN Environmental Program, said in a statement. “Not only is this a major development issue, but the impacts of such unnecessary waste are causing substantial costs to the climate and nature."

However, researchers have identified a solution for part of this problem, and it's already available to consumers everywhere: choosing frozen food over fresh food instead. And the benefits extend beyond mere sustainability.

A meta-analysis conducted by researchers at Cornell assessed the rate of frozen food waste at retail and consumer levels. It found that, in general, "frozen foods are wasted less than their fresh counterparts at grocery stores and in households."

Related: Are Frozen Vegetable More Nutritious Than Fresh Ones?

The authors stated that, while frozen foods are not immune to waste, they are more often discarded at the consumer level because they are either forgotten or past their expiration date. In contrast, foods from the fridge are more likely to be thrown away because "consumers felt the product was no longer edible or they had prepared too much."

Meanwhile, the authors found that at the retail level, frozen foods are wasted less frequently than fresh foods. They noted that the "difference in the rate of waste is notable with items in fresh produce departments discarded nearly six times more than items sold frozen."

To experts like Nate Clark, communications manager at ReFed, an organization working to reduce food waste, frozen options are a no-brainer for those looking for a more sustainable option.

"In the United States, 31% of food goes unsold or uneaten. That's like walking out of the grocery store with three bags filled to the brim with groceries, and on the way to the car, dropping a bag and walking away," Clark shared with Food & Wine. "Of all that uneaten food, 80% comes from perishable items, including fruits and vegetables, meats, and milk and dairy. But only 2% comes from frozen food — so there is a lot less waste of frozen food than fresh."

Freezing food or purchasing frozen food, Clark said, also allows you to save money as it can stay "safe and edible for months or even years."

Related: 5 Budget-Friendly Ways to Use Frozen Fruit, From Smoothies to Pan Sauces

There is another benefit to picking frozen over fresh: Several studies indicate that frozen fruits and vegetables either retain the same level of nutrient density or possess even higher nutritional values. This is because these items are typically harvested at their peak freshness and frozen immediately, preserving all their vitamins and minerals. 

As a bonus, frozen foods are usually a more affordable option than fresh ones. According to the USDA's Economic Research Service in 2024, a cup of fresh corn cost $1.50, while its frozen counterpart cost just $.064. It also noted that a cup of fresh spinach was $1.77, whereas that same volume of frozen spinach went for just $1.10. So, if you're concerned about sustainability, nutrition, and cost, "a good place to start is thinking about which foods you typically end up wasting, and thinking about buying frozen options instead."

5 tips for avoiding food waste, according to ReFed

Plan ahead: Always go into the grocery store with a plan for at least a few days or a week, so you don't buy extras that go to waste. 
Store your food correctly: Make sure you understand how to store your food the right way to make it last longer. For example, keep apples in the fridge and oranges on the counter. 
Use that freezer: You don't just have to purchase frozen food. You can freeze fresh produce to keep it fresh and usable for longer, too. 
Understand labels: There are major differences between "best by" and "sell by" dates. Learn the differences so you know how long your food can really last. 
Eat what you've got: Before going to the store, see what you've already got in stock so you can use that in any meal plans for the coming week.

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