Study: US Food Waste Is a Huge Energy Drain

**Contrary Housewife** · 10-04-2010, 06:09 PM

"Americans waste an eye-popping 27 percent of their food, Webber's study says. Almost one-third of the country's oils, fats, grains and dairy products end up in the garbage."

Study: American Food Waste Is a Huge Energy Drain

**mndtrp** · 10-04-2010, 07:26 PM

It doesn't surprise me. Working in a restaurant, I saw people throw away more food than some families eat. At home, we rarely throw anything out. Pretty much any meal can be repurposed into something else.

**brennasmom** · 10-04-2010, 07:49 PM

I try really hard not to waste any food. If we are out for a meal I take a to go box. But having worked in food service before I know the amount of food wasted in insane.

**mslolsalot** · 10-04-2010, 07:50 PM

I'm sort of surprised it's only 27%. I thought it would be more. Over shopping, over cooking, and not managing leftovers all contribute to so much waste! I'm certainly guilty of that myself, but I'm trying (very hard) to manage my $$ and my fridge better! Can't help but think of all of those people with little to nothing to eat

**AspiringToBeFrugal** · 10-06-2010, 02:54 PM

Pretty sad, isn't it? We are such a wasteful society in general. And I am certainly as guilty of it as anyone...forgetting fruit or veggies in the fridge until they resemble a science project, throwing out the last piece of pizza because it's been in the fridge for two days, etc.

I have made a vow to start trying to be mindful of the food I'm buying and preparing so as to reduce the amount I waste.

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 10-06-2010, 05:05 PM

That's awful...seems ridiculous to throw perfectly good food away! We try really hard not to waste any food. It's like throwing money in the garbage!

**Judi Dial** · 10-06-2010, 05:28 PM

I've had people ask me for an "easy" way to save $$ on food. I tell 'em to stop throwing food out and stop going to restaurants!

Judi

**joyofsix** · 10-06-2010, 05:46 PM

I'm shocked by that. You might as well throw money away.

**shoiji** · 10-06-2010, 07:09 PM

Makes you wonder about all the processed and junk food there is available. What makes it worse is that the companies come up with the idea that it is something we need because we are so busy.

**pollypurebred39** · 10-06-2010, 07:50 PM

Very interesting article. I know that the Salvation Army, and several churches that serve as food kitchens in the area are truly struggling to feed people due to the fact that the restaurants and businesses (like caterers) are no longer providing them with leftovers or soon to perish food. It seems that in this sue happy climate they have been instructed by their insurance companies to not donate food. If they are caught violating the rules laid out by their insurance company, their policy will be canceled immediately.

It was once common place, but no longer. Even my son's company has a throw away policy due to lawsuits. They throw away huge amounts of housewares, HAB, over the counter medication, and lots of food. It's a sin really, makes DS sick to throw huge bags of usable stuff away every week.

**HandyMom** · 10-07-2010, 07:25 AM

Our local grocery store gives the day-old bakery items and other things to the soup kitchen such as milk & eggs. They get away with it and are not worried about getting sued. I think if they can do it then there is no excuse for others not to. I think the lawsuit excuse is a bunch of &*^%$!

That said, I am not the only one who notices that you pay less to buy a bigger quantity and in doing so, if you can't preserve the extra amount then you have little choice but to throw it away. Families are smaller than they used to be so now there is always too many buns in a package or too much of something else but you will pay as much for a few buns as you would for a whole package. Smaller canned foods cost more, smaller packages of meat..etc. Even buying now from the grocery store salad bar (if they have one) will cost you more by the lb than buying a whole head of lettuce, etc.

The worst waste I've seen is at school during lunch and that is mainly because they are not given enough time to eat!

**mndtrp** · 10-11-2010, 09:31 PM

Originally Posted by HandyMom

The worst waste I've seen is at school during lunch and that is mainly because they are not given enough time to eat!

That's no kidding. It took me years to spend more than 10 minutes eating, due to the years of school conditioning.

**littleplum** · 10-19-2010, 01:58 PM

I don't know. I've worked very hard to overcome the compulsion to always clean my plate and to never "waste" food. I'd rather throw away excess food than have to buy new clothes and spend money on yet more weeks of Weight Watchers membership.

**mndtrp** · 10-19-2010, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by littleplum

I don't know. I've worked very hard to overcome the compulsion to always clean my plate and to never "waste" food. I'd rather throw away excess food than have to buy new clothes and spend money on yet more weeks of Weight Watchers membership.

Save the food for later. Best of both worlds.