Every so often I will overbuy fruits and veggies and will not get the chance or have the desire to eat them. They end up in the trash. Even more often, my family will make huge dinners or eat out and end up sitting in our fridge for a week before the food ends up in the garbage.
We all waste food. It’s incredibly hard not to. Most of the time I never finish my meals and eating the same thing isn’t too appealing the next day.
Food waste is a huge problem in this country. About 40 percent of it ends up in landfills while so many people go hungry. What’s most shocking about this is that most of this food is perfectly edible and could easily go to people in need. A recent episode of Last Week with John Oliver lays out the facts and the politics — using a bit of humor — and explains why we are wasting so much food. Although its a bit long, it’s definitely worth the watch.
This video really opened my eyes to how serious this issue is. The most interesting thing I was was about expiration dates — we don’t actually need them. They are just a recommendation. Meaning the food probably lasts longer and companies are trying to get us to buy more food faster. WHAT?!
Farmers also are unable to see certain produce because they don’t look perfect but are perfectly fine to eat otherwise. Grocery stores throw away unused foods rather than donating because they are afraid they will get sued — not true at all. It also is expensive to donate, which is why Oliver suggests there should be tax breaks, something that has been proposed by legislation but twisted into an entirely different bill.
Other than not going to those who actually need it, food waste is costly for everyone. There is some much time and resources used to farm that are completed wasted, especially concerning when there is a drought in California right now HELLO. Methane gas is also produced while the food sits in landfills and individuals are literally throwing away bags of groceries, wasting their own money.
From watching this video I am much more conscious of my own waste, which is why I have come up with a few steps to immediately reduce my food footprint:
1. Meal plan. To easily cut back on waste is to plan your meals in advance and make sure you only buy enough for recipes and what you will actually eat. This will also cut back on trips to the store, saving time and money.
2. Eat those leftovers. If you are making big meals, plan for a leftover potluck one night a week to finish off your fridge and experience different cuisines in one sitting. Also plan to eat those doggie bags from restaurants for lunch the next day, so you don’t forget about them.
3. Ignore expiration dates. Although it may sound gross, as Oliver explains these dates should not be heavily focused on. So if you a few days or even a week after the date go ahead and eat it, just give a smell and taste test first.
4. Buy “imperfect” produce. Even if that apple has a bruise on it or it’s the last bunch of kale, go ahead and buy it — there’s nothing wrong with it. Most likely, someone else won’t so you’ll be saving it from the trash bin.
5. Compost. To make sure leftover fruits and veggies don’t end up in landfills where they will produce harmful methane gas, compost them! If you don’t have a compost pile, simply chuck it outside where they will decompose naturally and be eaten by cute woodland creatures.
What are your thoughts on food waste? What steps will you be taking to decrease your food footprint?
A Cup Of Fitness 