Comments on: The Weight of Waste http://www.wastedfood.com/2008/05/22/the-weight-of-waste/ a look at how America squanders nearly half of its food Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:53:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: sarah http://www.wastedfood.com/2008/05/22/the-weight-of-waste/#comment-46367 Fri, 10 Oct 2008 02:51:58 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2008/05/22/the-weight-of-waste/#comment-46367 I hope that remaining trayless helps students at VT become more aware of waste. Even in elementary schools, waste is discouraged and portion sizes have decreased. Elementary children are recycling on campus; eating healthier; becoming more physically active and feeling more a part of helping us become a more healthy nation. If these young children can do it, then college kids can certainly take on more of a leadership role for the next generation.... I hope that remaining trayless helps students at VT become more aware of waste. Even in elementary schools, waste is discouraged and portion sizes have decreased. Elementary children are recycling on campus; eating healthier; becoming more physically active and feeling more a part of helping us become a more healthy nation. If these young children can do it, then college kids can certainly take on more of a leadership role for the next generation….

]]> by: Daryl http://www.wastedfood.com/2008/05/22/the-weight-of-waste/#comment-30954 Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:12:43 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2008/05/22/the-weight-of-waste/#comment-30954 Yeah, I guess that people who don't go to colleges or universities right now are really suprised by this. I have become alot more concious about my food choices but it wasnt too long ago that I would just get two plates filled with food. Not because I was particularly that hungry, but because the food in general was often rank with the exception of two things. Once we all sampled what was good, we would go back for even more of that option leaving the rest. Recently, my school started buying more local produce and teh food has significantly improved, but that wont solve the problem. THe problem is that students use food as a comofort and often an excuse to socialize. What you shoulk look into are the late night places to eat on a college campus and see the comsuption there. Grease was everyone's favorite at 2 in the morning, while studying for a midterm. Yeah, I guess that people who don’t go to colleges or universities right now are really suprised by this. I have become alot more concious about my food choices but it wasnt too long ago that I would just get two plates filled with food. Not because I was particularly that hungry, but because the food in general was often rank with the exception of two things. Once we all sampled what was good, we would go back for even more of that option leaving the rest. Recently, my school started buying more local produce and teh food has significantly improved, but that wont solve the problem. THe problem is that students use food as a comofort and often an excuse to socialize. What you shoulk look into are the late night places to eat on a college campus and see the comsuption there. Grease was everyone’s favorite at 2 in the morning, while studying for a midterm.

]]> by: Jen http://www.wastedfood.com/2008/05/22/the-weight-of-waste/#comment-27722 Thu, 29 May 2008 07:06:59 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2008/05/22/the-weight-of-waste/#comment-27722 I stumbled upon your blog on accident, a friend posted a link here and I identified with your issues about the all-you-can-eat mentality, so I just wanted to share what it's like where I work... I work at a well-known chain restaurant where I see this mentality day in and day out. Cafeterias and buffets and the most obvious source of waste when it comes to all-you-can-eat but any restaurant that offers free refills is just as guilty. Think about how many times someone has asked if you would like more of something. It's always more more more. As a server, that's my job, to make sure your plates and glasses are never empty until you're completely satisfied. And of course, the refills are free, so people take them. I can't even tell you how many times I have thrown away entire salads completely untouched, it makes me sick to see how much food gets tossed just because someone took the refill and then didn't touch it. It's fresh, perfectly edible food but everyone at the table just got too full. And they're going back to work/to a movie/out shopping and won't be home for hours, so there's no use taking leftovers home. Great blog, you have some really interesting information here. I stumbled upon your blog on accident, a friend posted a link here and I identified with your issues about the all-you-can-eat mentality, so I just wanted to share what it’s like where I work…

I work at a well-known chain restaurant where I see this mentality day in and day out. Cafeterias and buffets and the most obvious source of waste when it comes to all-you-can-eat but any restaurant that offers free refills is just as guilty. Think about how many times someone has asked if you would like more of something. It’s always more more more. As a server, that’s my job, to make sure your plates and glasses are never empty until you’re completely satisfied. And of course, the refills are free, so people take them. I can’t even tell you how many times I have thrown away entire salads completely untouched, it makes me sick to see how much food gets tossed just because someone took the refill and then didn’t touch it. It’s fresh, perfectly edible food but everyone at the table just got too full. And they’re going back to work/to a movie/out shopping and won’t be home for hours, so there’s no use taking leftovers home.

Great blog, you have some really interesting information here.

]]> by: Jonathan http://www.wastedfood.com/2008/05/22/the-weight-of-waste/#comment-27704 Wed, 28 May 2008 13:15:42 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2008/05/22/the-weight-of-waste/#comment-27704 Molly, how about this deal: You can keep the all-you-can-eat and the trays--as long as you just use them for sledding! LisaN, A la carte doesn't usually mean grocery style food plan, but a pay as you go cafeteria. Also, I think you win the understatement of the week: "college students aren't exactly known for being super clean." They sure aren't! Molly, how about this deal: You can keep the all-you-can-eat and the trays–as long as you just use them for sledding!

LisaN,
A la carte doesn’t usually mean grocery style food plan, but a pay as you go cafeteria. Also, I think you win the understatement of the week: “college students aren’t exactly known for being super clean.”
They sure aren’t!

]]> by: LisaN http://www.wastedfood.com/2008/05/22/the-weight-of-waste/#comment-27690 Wed, 28 May 2008 02:32:44 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2008/05/22/the-weight-of-waste/#comment-27690 Thank you for the questions, and I'm sorry I wasn't quicker with my response. I think most college students are reluctant to take a la carte 1) unless it's included in their meal plan 2) unless they have a storage place in their dorm room. I know that some food, but not all, is included in most meal plans. But, in most dorm rooms, storage is at a premium, plus, college students aren't exactly known for being super clean. I can see bugs being a problem if too many students took food to their dorm rooms. Just a thought.......... Thank you for the questions, and I’m sorry I wasn’t quicker with my response.

I think most college students are reluctant to take a la carte 1) unless it’s included in their meal plan 2) unless they have a storage place in their dorm room.

I know that some food, but not all, is included in most meal plans. But, in most dorm rooms, storage is at a premium, plus, college students aren’t exactly known for being super clean. I can see bugs being a problem if too many students took food to their dorm rooms.

Just a thought……….

]]> by: Molly http://www.wastedfood.com/2008/05/22/the-weight-of-waste/#comment-27685 Tue, 27 May 2008 19:19:11 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2008/05/22/the-weight-of-waste/#comment-27685 I went to VT too, and I hear you about the wasted food at Dietrick. The thing is, though, some people really need the all-you-can-eat meal option. Tech has a LOT of student athletes. But by all means, give us the trays!! Surely half of them take a temporary leave-of-absence from the cafeteria every time it snows... I went to VT too, and I hear you about the wasted food at Dietrick. The thing is, though, some people really need the all-you-can-eat meal option. Tech has a LOT of student athletes. But by all means, give us the trays!! Surely half of them take a temporary leave-of-absence from the cafeteria every time it snows…

]]> by: Ashley http://www.wastedfood.com/2008/05/22/the-weight-of-waste/#comment-27652 Mon, 26 May 2008 22:35:36 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2008/05/22/the-weight-of-waste/#comment-27652 I worked for a very short time as a dishwasher in my high school cafeteria and I still remember the huge pools of ketchup that kids would make on their plates and fool around with - sticking their cups in the mess etc. Probably not the biggest waste but sure says something about their attitude. I worked for a very short time as a dishwasher in my high school cafeteria and I still remember the huge pools of ketchup that kids would make on their plates and fool around with - sticking their cups in the mess etc. Probably not the biggest waste but sure says something about their attitude.

]]> by: HokieX http://www.wastedfood.com/2008/05/22/the-weight-of-waste/#comment-27570 Sun, 25 May 2008 05:37:16 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2008/05/22/the-weight-of-waste/#comment-27570 Hopefully they gave the trays to the students. They were great for sledding on campus. This is a good idea. I know I wasted a ton of food in Dietrick as did all of my friends. The mashed potatoes were great for making sculptures. At VT we were given the choice between dining dollars like Julie mentions or a meal plan at the all you can eat places. Hopefully they gave the trays to the students. They were great for sledding on campus.

This is a good idea. I know I wasted a ton of food in Dietrick as did all of my friends. The mashed potatoes were great for making sculptures.

At VT we were given the choice between dining dollars like Julie mentions or a meal plan at the all you can eat places.

]]> by: Julie http://www.wastedfood.com/2008/05/22/the-weight-of-waste/#comment-27489 Thu, 22 May 2008 23:31:33 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2008/05/22/the-weight-of-waste/#comment-27489 I go to UC San Diego and although I'm positive that a tremendous amount of food is being wasted in our cafeterias, I am also happy to see that we don't have an all-you-can-eat type cafeteria. Our meal plan consists of "dining dollars," which essentially are used like real dollars to "buy" food in the dining halls. This way, you're way more likely to take a second to think about what you're getting and how much you can eat. If this system can be instituted in a large university setting such as UCSD, I believe there should be an effort made to apply it elsewhere. I go to UC San Diego and although I’m positive that a tremendous amount of food is being wasted in our cafeterias, I am also happy to see that we don’t have an all-you-can-eat type cafeteria. Our meal plan consists of “dining dollars,” which essentially are used like real dollars to “buy” food in the dining halls. This way, you’re way more likely to take a second to think about what you’re getting and how much you can eat. If this system can be instituted in a large university setting such as UCSD, I believe there should be an effort made to apply it elsewhere.

]]> by: jessica http://www.wastedfood.com/2008/05/22/the-weight-of-waste/#comment-27484 Thu, 22 May 2008 22:39:37 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2008/05/22/the-weight-of-waste/#comment-27484 I am in college right now and the way they set up the cafeteria's is one of the many reasons I feel lucky enough to be able to afford apartment living where I can make my own food. Most of the food is not healthy and not consumed by the kids. Part of the problem could be due to this. When I was looking for salad, or some sort of alternative to the nachos and meat I would put a bit of white or yellow looking salad on my plate just to eat something. After a couple of bites it felt so unsatisfying that I couldn't eat the rest of it. Also, hearing about how they will work to get this into action would be great! I would be interested in following their footsteps on my campus if they get some sort of action accomplished that will help lessen food waste. I am in college right now and the way they set up the cafeteria’s is one of the many reasons I feel lucky enough to be able to afford apartment living where I can make my own food. Most of the food is not healthy and not consumed by the kids. Part of the problem could be due to this. When I was looking for salad, or some sort of alternative to the nachos and meat I would put a bit of white or yellow looking salad on my plate just to eat something. After a couple of bites it felt so unsatisfying that I couldn’t eat the rest of it.

Also, hearing about how they will work to get this into action would be great! I would be interested in following their footsteps on my campus if they get some sort of action accomplished that will help lessen food waste.

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