Category Archives: Restaurant

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 History and Culture, Household | Comments closed

Built-in Waste

Tuesday I linked to an article on the massive food waste in Britain. Buried deep within that piece was a fascinating quote that warrants discussion: Tim Lang, food policy professor at City University, said: “Waste is a fundamental part of the food economy and it will be hard to get rid of. I do not […]

March 6, 2008 | Also posted in International | Comments closed

Corralling Food Donation Myths

This article in Idaho’s Twin Falls Times-News provides insight into why restaurants think waste is “inevitable.” Unfortunately, the piece’s author allowed two common myths to go unchallenged. First, that food recovery groups won’t keep donated food at the right temperature, allowing it to dip into the bacteria danger zone. Most food recovery groups employ refrigerated […]

February 18, 2008 | Also posted in Stats | Comments closed

Friday Buffet

For you science-minded folks, here’s the Table of Condiments that Periodically Go Bad. I love the idea and the title, but disagree with some of the cautious estimates. When was the last time you threw away ketchup after five months (or spelled it ‘ketsup’)? — — This blogger and I could be fast friends. Check […]

February 15, 2008 | Also posted in College, Friday Buffet, Household, International, Trayless | Comments closed

(Pro)portions Sell

I drive by this sign every day. Assuming the ‘large portions’ refer to the first and not the last item, here’s a clear example of a restaurant (likely a franchisee) pushing overeating or waste. The message I’m getting is: ‘Eat an unhealthy amount or throw away a whole bunch. It’s your choice. Either way, check […]

February 6, 2008 | Posted in Restaurant | Comments closed

Technical Difficulties

I recently came across two seldom considered causes of food waste: electrical and mechanical. Power outages, if they last long enough, can cause individuals and restaurants (small ones without a backup generator) to toss their perishables. As restaurants in Somerville, Mass., found out, this can be quite costly. In addition, the loss of food is […]

January 29, 2008 | Also posted in College | Comments closed

The “Egg in Box” Interview

Egg in a Box, a site run by two Chinese-food-loving sisters, has one aim: getting you to donate your leftover takeout rice to those in need. While Replate asks diners to simply leave their leftovers ‘out’ for the homeless, Egg in a Box prompts people to add a hard-boiled egg to the rice to make […]

January 28, 2008 | Also posted in Household, Q & A | Comments closed

Really Paying for Restaurant Leftovers

Yesterday we talked about a restaurant in Singapore that charges customers $5 for every 100 grams of food left on their plate. Closer to home, Montreal’s Spirite Lounge has an even more extreme policy, as detailed in this article: The restaurant runs by reservation only in order to prepare the right amount of food on […]

January 23, 2008 | Also posted in International | Comments closed

Paying for Restaurant Leftovers

Thanks to Ming’s Space, we get this wasted food snippet from an all-you-can eat restaurant named Coca in Singapore. Take it away, Ming: We were eating and joking away until I saw a little note sticked onto the table, stating that: “Every 100 grams of food wasted will be charged $5!” Awesome. I love that […]

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

French Fry Waste

Let’s have a brief moment of silence for our fallen French fried friends. (moment) There. This post uniquely captures some of the feelings I often have at restaurants. Then its author goes a bit far, but in a fun way. If someone possessed the foresight to construct a potato cemetery for all these fallen soldiers, there […]

January 14, 2008 | Also posted in Personal | Comments closed