Category Archives: History and Culture

Green with Celebrity

I’m not one for reading People mag, but I recognize the power of celebrities. That’s why I was tickled to read Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee say in this interview that he’s minimizing food waste. No doubt Ed Begley, Jr. is doing the same. TV Guide: What are you doing to stay green? Lee: Cutting […]

August 4, 2008 | Posted in History and Culture | Comments closed

Eating Contests: Where Everyone Loses

Eating contests: fun, folksy ritual or waste of food? This article from Singapore raised that question and forced me to revisit the topic I’d previously considered. Sorry to play the wet blanket here, especially in the summertime, but I’m gonna say it: eating contests seem silly. Dare I say…gluttonous. Now this may just be that […]

July 22, 2008 | Also posted in International | Comments closed

Priced to Waste

Yesterday, I made a five-hour drive on I-95 from DC to Carolina. At a gas stop, I was tempted by a sign: 99 cent Icees. I don’t usually buy that kinda stuff, and I’m more of a Slush Puppie actually, but the intense traffic and heat weakened my defenses. Inside the store, I couldn’t believe […]

July 21, 2008 | Also posted in Personal | Comments closed

Office Cookout

I recently enjoyed a cookout at work, but not the kind you might think. Yesterday for lunch, I enjoyed the leftovers from a perfect cookout last Saturday (thanks, Ben and Lacie!). Note: I used to call these barbecues, then I learned that barbecue is a noun. I replicated the cookout experience in my typical, staid […]

July 15, 2008 | Also posted in Household, Personal | Comments closed

Conserving Food

The American Conservative isn’t my publication of choice, but the June 30 issue has two great pieces. First, Rod Dreher, author of Crunchy Cons (a book about conservatives whose behavior doesn’t necessarily fit with today’s GOP), interviews Michael Pollan. Second, there’s an intriguing look at how a conservative (or even reactionary) idea–returning to our traditional […]

July 14, 2008 | Posted in History and Culture | Comments closed

Picky, Picky

Fresh from the UK comes this food waste horror story: European Union sizing requirements required a British wholesaler to throw away 5,000 kiwis. Here’s a slightly less sensationalistic view of the story. An inspection of the fruit found that a number of the batch weighed 58 grams, with 62 grams the low-end limit. Tim Down, […]

June 30, 2008 | Also posted in Farm, International, Supermarket | Comments closed

The Misfits

If you’re like me, you could use a little help getting through your Tuesday. On that front, Weird Al never fails. Anyway, meet Violet, Gordon and the Gang of Misfit Fruits (and Veggies): Wow. We sure do love to anthropomorphize food, but they’re effective spokespeople. Also, isn’t it a bit odd that these fruits and […]

May 6, 2008 | Also posted in Food Recovery, Waste Stream | Comments closed

Sprout On

Last week, I wrote about having to buy a half-pound bag of bean sprouts when I just needed a handful. This week, in making an encore entree out of cold sesame noodles, I went to the Asian grocer nearby and bought just the right amount. Not only did I preclude any extra sprouts, which I […]

April 2, 2008 | Also posted in Household, Supermarket | Comments closed

Friday Buffet

To get you in the mood for the weekend, here’s a bit about fishing. More specifically, it’s a discussion of fishing “waste” and ethics by a charter boat operator. — — Here’s a rare occasion when the government actually asks restaurants to offer smaller portions. Of course, this isn’t in the U.S., but The Philippines. […]

March 21, 2008 | Also posted in Friday Buffet, International | Comments closed

Food Waste Rate Cut?

Well, The Fed is at it again, cutting interest rates. But could the recession sparking these moves “cut” the rate of food wasted? As you’d expect, there’s less eating out in lean times. This article documents that trend from a trash collector’s perspective. Less business, means less food waste, right? Maybe. Fewer diners equals less […]

March 19, 2008 | Also posted in Household, Restaurant | Comments closed