what a waste!

Foods should not be wasted unnecessarily. Just think of those people who are without foods in many third world countries. Their one meal per day is considered lucky for them while we are fortunate to have that abundance on our table. I don't usually cook a lot of food. I prefer to cook one meal dish for our dinner or lunch rather than having few dishes as most of the time there are extras left.

Your discussions are excellent--whenever I clean out my pantry, I always find something that I forgot that I had purchased, and it is usually expired. . .. I use soups to help re-use leftovers--add rice and meat to tomato soup, for instance, and you have a full meal! Shopping lists are essential to help avoid overbuying, as you mentioned. I try to ask the kids what they want to eat that week, in the hopes that they will actually want to eat it when the time comes! And, if I do overbuy, I donate anything I can (non-perishable, not expired) to our local food pantry.

I know some of the stores in town, primarily restaurants, who donate their day old products to shelters. I think it's a great idea. I haven't cooked at home in a long time. We eat out most nights since there are only two of us. Very often we have leftovers from restaurants and do eat the leftovers maybe a day or two later. This helps cut back on any waste.

I always tend to eat what I buy, as I throw very little away or very little is left. I think I'm more wasteful when it comes to take-away, although I do re-heat pizza's but sometimes that's not a very good option and I hate it when they're cold. I basically try to buy things that I know I will eat and not things I might do, as I tend to forget about them. Nice to see you around cher :)

Hi cher, I was born in 1939 and people in my age group rarely waste food. It bothers me when I see people throwing away food that could be warmed over tomorrow. I find that warmed over food actually tastes better. Today everyone has a refrigerator to keep left over food so it can be kept much longer than it could when I was a boy and we had no electricity. I agree with you in today's world where so many turn up their noses at left over food, it always best to plan ahead. If your families won't eat leftovers, cook less food, most people eat far too much anyway. Blessings.

There are two main things that I've done in our house so that I'm not wasting a lot of food. The first thing that I am doing is that I am trying to cook only enough for our family on a nightly basis. However, in those events that I am making more food than we need in a given night, I am immediately putting all of my leftovers in the fridge so that we are able to eat those for lunch the following day so that we don't waste our food.

Cher...you have made great points...BUT I think the greatest amount of Food Loss is at the Retail level....and if the "powers that be" would re-think their program, relax their regulations (which we know that are NOT effective --look at all the recalls) 90% of the Food that goes into dumpsters could go to shelters for food. When I used to own the Marina and haul my own supplies...I would pull up to the loading dock of "wholesale suppliers" and there would be dumpster upon dumpster of perishable/non-perishable goods "tossed" but for a mar here or there! Deplorable waste...what was in those dumpsters each day could feed MANY a hungry mouth! It left a huge impression on my mind...and to this day I am "food frugal!" How about retailers being allowed to offer this "not perfect" product at a good discount? Would help their bottom-line ...the benefits are never-ending, could write a book on those. I never shop without a list...leftovers always used...leftovers are planned, as usually larger volumes are cheaper! Cooking in volume saves in many ways, too! I live with self imposed "frugality"! Take care, cher...nice to hear from you!

I really try hard not to waste anything and maintain a low impact on the earth. However right now I am traveling and therefore eating out a lot. I did not always have a place to store leftovers. I just moved into a place so I will do my best to plan meals. This will also save me tons of money. I usually put my bread in the freezer after a few days so I can defrost it and use it as toast. I usually make a big serving of one thing at the beginning of the week and freeze half of it. It is difficult not to waste food when you are cooking for just one person. I wish stores sold smaller portions of things.

I think it is a great to learn or think of new ways to use left overs. We had a party last Saturday and I made baked chicken. Less people showed up then expected so we had some left overs. So I poured some BBQ sauce on it and baked it just long enough to heat it through. We had a completely different meal with the left overs. I also set aside one week a month where I don't shop. For that week I get creative by going through the freezer and cupburds and using up what we have.

In addition to what you have listed, the main way I learned ages ago to not waste food was to cook only what was needed. This quickly eliminated most left-overs. I found when I was cooking with the intent on having left-overs, I often did have food go to waste. By changing my tactics to cooking proper amounts, I now have, literally, zero wasted food. I also learned years and years ago how to preserve food. Jams, jellies, freezing fresh foods, canning, etc. So, if I do run across a great deal on super perishable items such as strawberries. I can easily freeze them all and then use at my leisure with no waste. I find it important to keep a "grease pencil" in my kitchen. I label everything with this. I just found a great deal on self-rising flour. Each four pound bag was only $0.95! I bought three bags. Put one in my cupboard. Then the other two in my freezer. I used the grease pencil to put the date on the bags in the freezer. Afterall, just because something is put in the freezer does not mean it is in suspended animation. Freezing only delays the decaying process of foods.

I've been to this other half of the world where food is scarce. And at first I wouldn't believe what other would do or eat just to get through hunger. So, I could definitely appreciate and be disappointed when I see all of the waste here. And it is sad that some people just take it for granted. Admittedly, I am one of the ways to save on food in our house. I end up taking leftovers at home for my lunch the following day.

Good one Saving and conserving is important in life. either food, money or oil & natural gases and nature. Lets conserve food water and forests. They will take care of us. Let us give a healthy society and healthy planet to our future generations. Thank you