Author Archives: Jonathan

Quantifying School Lunch Loss

There’s a reason adults tell kids to eat their vegetables–because they don’t! The 2010 changes to the National School Lunch Program (prompted by Michelle Obama’s push) that added more fruits, vegetables and whole grains to kids meals. But that comes at a cost–more wasted food and taxpayer dollars when school food is discarded. Virginia Tech junior Lindsey […]

July 24, 2013 | Posted in School, Stats | Comments closed

Ramadan Waste = Pigswill??

Seldom do you see Ramadan and hogs in the same sentence, but they’ve both been in the ‘food waste news’ recently. On the former, here’s a thought-provoking editorial lamenting the increased food waste during Ramadan in the United Arab Emirates. A common cooking tactic during the holy month of daylight fasting is to overprepare to […]

July 16, 2013 | Posted in History and Culture, International, Legislation, Waste Stream | Comments closed

Details Emerge on Massachusetts’ Ban on Dumping Organics

The news: In May, the Massachusetts DEP indicated that the state would ban landfilling or incineration of commercial food waste. Yesterday, more details emerged as the Patrick Administration announced the plan. Mind you, the proposed plan is just that. It’s in draft mode, and there will be public hearings seeking comments. There’s also a draft guidance memo […]

July 11, 2013 | Posted in Anaerobic Digestion, Composting, Waste Ban, Waste Stream | Comments closed

When Life Gives You Pineapple Rinds…

This past weekend I cut up a whole pineapple with a regular knife. As you can imagine, I literally and figuratively try to cut it as close to the rind as possible when I’m carving up a pineapple. I’m aiming for maximum fruit with minimum objections from kids. Still, just like the previous time, I was […]

July 9, 2013 | Posted in Household | Comments closed

Declare Your Independence from Food Waste!

While we’re celebrating declaring independence from the British Crown, it’s worth remembering to declare your independence from food waste. How does one do that? Here’s one way: Whether you’re planning a cookout, a picnic or a regular old meal, plan ahead! Think about how many people will be eating and the amount folks are likely to […]

July 4, 2013 | Posted in General, History and Culture, Household | Comments closed

Damn, That Looks Fun!

This Saturday, the Feeding the 5,000 bandwagon rolled into Amsterdam for the aptly-named Damn Food Waste event. The day included plenty of groovy music, a dancing carrot person and, most importantly, feeding 5,000 Amsterdammers (or Mokummers) with food that otherwise would have been thrown out. Have a look: Can’t wait for the New York event […]

July 1, 2013 | Posted in International | Comments closed

Friday Buffet

This NPR piece takes us inside a New York City hi-rise apartment building that’s now composting as part of a pilot program. Making hi-rise composting work will be a key to New York’s composting future, given New York’s urban landscape. — — Here’s the first peep I’ve seen from Britain suggesting a national ban on […]

June 28, 2013 | Posted in Composting, Friday Buffet, General, International, Waste Stream | Comments closed

US Food Manufacturers, Retailers Tackling Food Waste

The Food Waste Reduction Alliance, an industry group of food manufacturers, retailers and restaurants studying waste, recently announced their preliminary findings. Here’s the press release and here’s the entire study, done by BSR. Three thoughts: 1. It’s encouraging! The report is a sign that the US food industry is finally paying attention to food waste. The report […]

June 26, 2013 | Posted in Restaurant, Stats, Supermarket | Comments closed

Curved Cuke

By this point, you know that I love nothing more than unique produce. Whether it’s ugly fruit, knotty carrots or letter-shaped veggies. This curved cuke–bought at the farmers’ market–fits that category quite well. And it also doubles as a nice toy gun (if you’re into that kind of thing). Best of all, this cucumber tasted […]

June 24, 2013 | Posted in Alphabet Produce, Farm, Farmers' Market | Comments closed

Friday Buffet

File under ‘rising tide of food waste coverage:’ National Geographic ran this neat piece on how cities manage to compost their abundant food waste. — — Three Hawaiian universities have signed on to fight food waste. Hawaiian food waste takes on a heightened importance, as that food has probably been imported and it’ll likely be exported, […]

June 21, 2013 | Posted in Composting, Friday Buffet, History and Culture, School | Comments closed