Food waste in America

November 05, 2017 04:08PM

25% of all foods purchased by Americans gets tossed out. Imagine bringing home 4 bags of groceries and then throwing one of the bags away.

For me personally, I don't throw too much of my food away, unless somethings been in my fridge for months and is glued to the shelf with some sort of sticky adhesive. I think the trick is going to the supermarket more often and get what you need for the next couple days, instead for the whole week. Luckily, there is an aldi on the way home from my gym and I only get just a handful of items to last me for 2 days.

What is your food shopping schedule like and do you consider yourself to throw away a lot of food?
(If this is a rude question, I would like to apologize in advance)

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November 05, 2017 04:19PM

I like this subject, so, no, it is NOT rude.... I have been shopping every couple days since I have time. I buy for the next 2/3 days, don't have to eat the same thing over and over or have a supply of leftovers which get thrown away. I notice Ralphs has a food bank pickup behind the store, giving it to the food banks in town. I make everything homemade, no packaged frozen foods for me, too much salt and names I can't pronounce. Weekends (like today) where I have a grocery to do, I'll buy fresh for tonight and something for tomorrow.....
Also watching weight, so not having tons of leftovers works to maintain weight....always have yogurt for a pinch.
edited to brag..I've kept my size, having been a size 6, now an 8, this is an accomplishment.....

Live consciously....

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/05/2017 04:21PM by Irene_L.A..

November 05, 2017 08:18PM

I throw away about 30% of the produce I purchase. It's horrible, I know but I am working on it.

This is especially why I don't mind small fee reimbursement food shops; it allows me to eat daily while avoiding to cook and saves money wasting food.

November 06, 2017 05:28PM

We are pretty fortunate... in that our apartment sits beside the grocery store. Seriously--I could throw a rock at it and hit it. I can go in every single day... and honestly I do end up in there 6 out of 7 days of the week after things and stuff. It might be a single orange or a single banana/apple but that's helped us tremendously.

MegglesKat

November 06, 2017 06:48PM

When I move to a new place in the future, I want to move where a grocery store is of walking distance.

November 06, 2017 07:07PM

I was doing a demo at Earth Fare yesterday. When I was done, I went into the backroom to throw away my small bag of trash and there was so much produce in the dumpster it was sickening. Some of it didn't look that bad. Just a shame.

November 06, 2017 07:15PM

I have an Albertsons 2 blks, and my Ralphs (a job) about 1/2 mile, which I drive too. My daughter lives within walking distance to everything, I love that, cities offer it, usually not the subs.....I love being close to everything,
here there is parking all over, so, not a problem The city built walking bridge's enclosed that go over the highways to the mall.....I could live here comfortably without driving, as we have dial-a-ride, free to seniors, have to make an appt.

Live consciously....

November 06, 2017 07:25PM

@DavePi wrote:

When I move to a new place in the future, I want to move where a grocery store is of walking distance.

It has not helped me. I live 3 minutes walking distance from a grocery store. 20 min walk to another, and two are 5 min drive away. I still waste food and order my groceries through Instacart plus I use Green Chef. #FIRSTWORLDPROBLEMS

November 06, 2017 08:23PM

I shop big once a month at the grocery and then "fill in" with mystery shops or a run to the neighborhood market for butter, etc (I don't mind paying an extra .50 to help out a small, local grocer). Lately, we've been trying to shop from the pantry as much as possible, using the monthly trip to stock up on good deals.

Make garbage soup. It's the produce in the fridge that is at its end of life, gets tossed into a container in the freezer, and then consomme and a little stew meat when the container is full.

Mine is the trash can that the neighbors dump their excess into.

"Let me offer you my definition of social justice: I keep what I earn and you keep what you earn. Do you disagree? Well then tell me how much of what I earn belongs to you - and why?” ~Walter Williams

November 06, 2017 08:30PM

Good subject. I read about people throwing away their reimbursed food from their shops all the time. I try to eat what I can, no matter what. If it's junk food, I eat in moderation.

Very infrequently shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado these days.

November 06, 2017 08:40PM

I keep items well stocked that are not perishable for my homemade recipes. I purchase produce and seafood the day I plan to cook it. My husband loves left overs, not much goes to waste here. I reuse some foods like; mashed potatoes could be potato pancakes. Chili add mac for another meal or chili hot dogs. Baked potatoes become home fries etc.

November 06, 2017 08:40PM

Someone said they actually give Papa Johns pizza away to neighbors, i laughed my head off, who wants cold PJ's pizza, how embarrassing and funny. Couldn't pay me enough, I don't waste or want my neighbors to think I think they don't have food.....I do pizza jobs where I actually love the pizza, what a concept. Most food jobs are basically reimbursement, so why do them if your not enjoying the food. I'm happy my Ralph's (Kroger) grocery's give day old food to the homeless, via the food bank that picks up mornings, and the food is good. We have day old bread for .99, I have bought interesting loafs and freeze them, then micro or make french toast....being an aware shopper saves tons of $$.

Live consciously....

November 07, 2017 01:09AM

I used to have a container like this. Now I do a good job of managing my leftovers, so the container has turned into a bag for scraps that get turned into broth, rather than a complete meal.

@iShop123 wrote:

Make garbage soup. It's the produce in the fridge that is at its end of life, gets tossed into a container in the freezer, and then consomme and a little stew meat when the container is full.

Mine is the trash can that the neighbors dump their excess into.

Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. Eleanor Roosevelt

November 07, 2017 01:11AM

We eat a LOT of produce, so I usually go to the store on Sunday and maybe one other time during the week. I challenge myself not to waste anything, but on the rare occasion something goes to waste I toss it in the compost bin.

Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. Eleanor Roosevelt

November 07, 2017 03:14AM

I used to sometimes be bad about buying too much and throwing it away. 1 1/2 years ago my husband and I decided to get a mini pig and let me tell you she will eat almost anything. She especially loves all produce so all veggies and fruits that I would have thrown out are now her dinner. It saves me on having to purchase her pig pellets as often so it’s a win win. She’s one of the best animals I’ve ever had and she’s a hit with my suburban neighborhood. Everyone young, old and in between will walk their dogs by our house hoping maybe she will be outside and they can visit her.

November 07, 2017 03:46AM

I get my groceries for a full week and then I prepare a menu that aims at finishing up every single thing by day 7. Leftovers usually go into soups, smoothies and baked goods. I don't like to eat outside and this works perfectly for me.

November 07, 2017 02:49PM

I grocery shop every Friday, then usually once or twice more throughout the week. I buy for a few days at a time. If I have leftover vegetables I will usually make a frittata to use them up.

November 10, 2017 07:40AM

@Irene_L.A. wrote:

Someone said they actually give Papa Johns pizza away to neighbors, i laughed my head off, who wants cold PJ's pizza, how embarrassing and funny. Couldn't pay me enough, I don't waste or want my neighbors to think I think they don't have food.....I do pizza jobs where I actually love the pizza, what a concept. Most food jobs are basically reimbursement, so why do them if your not enjoying the food.

That was me Irene, who gives the pizza to hungry college kids next door. It's not embarassing or funny, and they are broke and grateful. Also I am not stupid enough to do Papa John's shops for reimbursement only. I make $20 for delivery shops and $25 for carryout shops. I can make $100 in a couple of hours as there are several locations near me. Sure beats doing $9 cell phone shops. I don't throw it away when there are kids next door who are practically living off ramen noodles who are smart enough to turn on an oven to reheat a pizza. Glad you got a good laugh at it.

November 10, 2017 08:51AM

What about creating recipes? Some new creations are edible. Others might be attempted again, if there is potential for them. If you cannot give the unwanted results to anyone, you throw away the food. But is that a waste of food? Is it just part of the creative process?

My garden in England is full of eating-out places, for heat waves, warm September evenings, or lunch on a chilly Christmas morning. (Mary Quant)

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/2017 08:51AM by Shop-et-al.

November 10, 2017 09:17AM

@JASFLALMT wrote:

That was me Irene, who gives the pizza to hungry college kids next door. It's not embarassing or funny, and they are broke and grateful. Also I am not stupid enough to do Papa John's shops for reimbursement only. I make $20 for delivery shops and $25 for carryout shops. I can make $100 in a couple of hours as there are several locations near me. Sure beats doing $9 cell phone shops. I don't throw it away when there are kids next door who are practically living off ramen noodles who are smart enough to turn on an oven to reheat a pizza. Glad you got a good laugh at it.

Ignore the rude comments. I wish you had been my neighbor when I was student! The Pap's pies are better than what a lot of students eat.

November 10, 2017 04:32PM

My point was only along with another shopper in L.A. that agreed with me. We do NOT get bonus's for PJ, so hardly make money on something we don't want and are unable (health reasons) to eat. Different situations in different states. Good for you, when it works, it works, my problem was, you were so insistent, and we know it doesn't work where I live. No homeless in my area, those in college live at home (2 year school). The constant "bragging" (if you will) about how much you make just got on my last nerve, since I wasn't going to do it. Be happy you've made it work, it wasn't' for me......Everyone shops the way they see fit, as it should be. I won't hammer you to take something that doesn't work........

My last post on Papa Johns which is a ripoff here.

Live consciously....

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/2017 04:33PM by Irene_L.A..

November 10, 2017 04:54PM

@Irene_L.A. wrote:

My point was only along with another shopper in L.A. that agreed with me. We do NOT get bonus's for PJ, so hardly make money on something we don't want and are unable (health reasons) to eat. Different situations in different states. Good for you, when it works, it works, my problem was, you were so insistent, and we know it doesn't work where I live. No homeless in my area, those in college live at home (2 year school). The constant "bragging" (if you will) about how much you make just got on my last nerve, since I wasn't going to do it. Be happy you've made it work, it wasn't' for me......Everyone shops the way they see fit, as it should be. I won't hammer you to take something that doesn't work........ My last post on Papa Johns which is a ripoff here.

Go ahead and try to justify when you are making rude comments to other posters. No one was talking about you and your situation with PJs and no one was hammering you, but for you to drag an old post of mine from another thread into this one to make nasty comments about something I posted is just wrong of you. Go ahead and explain it all you want to try to put it in your favor, rude is rude and it doesn't matter how old you are, being impolite to others is never justified no matter how much you try to explain it away. Just because "another shopper in L.A." agreed with you that it is "embarrassing and you laughed your head off" doesn't make it true in my situation. And yes, it does work nicely for me, thank you.

November 10, 2017 05:55PM

If a neighbor gives me free pizza, even if it's cold, they instantly become my friend. These free-pizza givers should be admired and given recognition for their great service to this nation.

November 10, 2017 05:56PM

Ahh, Dave. Thanks. That's heartwarming, LOL.

November 11, 2017 12:40AM

I think her point was that WHEN IT IS REIMBURSEMENT-ONLY, it's not worth doing a shop where you're not going to eat the food. Sort of like eating at a restaurant that turns out to have a crappy meal and you still have to spend the time filling out the report for the privilege of eating such excrement.

But, yes, college students will eat anything.

November 11, 2017 01:11AM

@JASFLALMT ...I wish there were more people like you. Most people would throw away food rather than giving it to somebody who would enjoy it. Those college kids have a good neighbor.

November 11, 2017 01:19AM

.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/21/2018 07:34PM by Megs7521.

November 11, 2017 01:39AM

She's doing it for the money, not the humanity......I don't get the money, reimbursement only, so, that's your answer....read what you want into it, the point is, IShop123 got the picture. The thread is about wasting food, this job would be wasting food for me.....

Live consciously....

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/11/2017 01:42AM by Irene_L.A..

November 11, 2017 01:54AM

Which was easily understood a few posts into the thread. Why you felt the need to ridicule me by making rude comments is not so easily understood.

November 11, 2017 03:32AM

This thread went to sh*t real fast. New thread coming in a couple days. Be patient guys.

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