Comments on: Ketchup Concerns http://www.wastedfood.com/2010/02/08/ketchup-concerns/ a look at how America squanders nearly half of its food Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:04:29 +0000 hourly 1 By: Jonathan http://www.wastedfood.com/2010/02/08/ketchup-concerns/comment-page-1/#comment-230945 Jonathan Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:36:05 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2010/02/08/ketchup-concerns/#comment-230945 Kelly, coins for condiments is a great idea. The McD's I worked at had a similar arrangement, but only for the chicken dipping sauces. I found it funny that there was a hierarchy of condiments. You got one sauce free with 6 nuggets, two free with the larger packs. then it was 25 cents each...But I'm pretty sure that was the franchise's rule. From what I saw, I would bet that charging for every ketchup packet after the first would cut wastage in half. Allie, I coudln't agree more on the need to *ask* if customers want ketchup. And to *listen* to the answer or when customers say they don't want any. I tried to be very attentive to customers ketchup desire or lackthereof... Kelly, coins for condiments is a great idea. The McD’s I worked at had a similar arrangement, but only for the chicken dipping sauces. I found it funny that there was a hierarchy of condiments.

You got one sauce free with 6 nuggets, two free with the larger packs. then it was 25 cents each…But I’m pretty sure that was the franchise’s rule. From what I saw, I would bet that charging for every ketchup packet after the first would cut wastage in half.

Allie, I coudln’t agree more on the need to *ask* if customers want ketchup. And to *listen* to the answer or when customers say they don’t want any. I tried to be very attentive to customers ketchup desire or lackthereof…

]]> By: Allie http://www.wastedfood.com/2010/02/08/ketchup-concerns/comment-page-1/#comment-230929 Allie Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:54:37 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2010/02/08/ketchup-concerns/#comment-230929 Honestly, I think it's equally likely. I'm on the fence if I think it'll create more waste. The biggest problem I see with the ketchup packets is that you've given them whether you want them or not. Places automatically toss them in your bag of food, even when you specifically tell them you *don't* need packets. So maybe the first thing businesses could do would be to stop giving them automatically and instead ASKING the customer if they're desired. However, since the cost will increase, perhaps that will happen automatically. For me personally, I just have a big container where I store all the extra sauce packets I get. Eventually they get used, and it doesn't hurt anything to store them until they're needed. I know most people do just chuck them though, so that in and of itself is a different problem. Honestly, I think it’s equally likely. I’m on the fence if I think it’ll create more waste. The biggest problem I see with the ketchup packets is that you’ve given them whether you want them or not. Places automatically toss them in your bag of food, even when you specifically tell them you *don’t* need packets. So maybe the first thing businesses could do would be to stop giving them automatically and instead ASKING the customer if they’re desired. However, since the cost will increase, perhaps that will happen automatically.

For me personally, I just have a big container where I store all the extra sauce packets I get. Eventually they get used, and it doesn’t hurt anything to store them until they’re needed. I know most people do just chuck them though, so that in and of itself is a different problem.

]]> By: Kelly Barrett http://www.wastedfood.com/2010/02/08/ketchup-concerns/comment-page-1/#comment-230872 Kelly Barrett Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:03:42 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2010/02/08/ketchup-concerns/#comment-230872 On a slightly related note, I thought I would mention that when I was in Australia (and they probably do this other places) they charge you per ketchup packet (and they don't have packets like we do, they have these dip/squeeze ones there already). I noticed when I was there my ketchup consumption dropped a lot because a) the ketchup or "tomato sauce," as they call it, doesn't taste like ours does, it's too sweet BUT mostly b) I didn't want to pay 10-20 cents per ketchup packet! So that could be one way to deter people taking more than they need. Really like what you're doing with this blog--i'll add you to my blog roll =] On a slightly related note, I thought I would mention that when I was in Australia (and they probably do this other places) they charge you per ketchup packet (and they don’t have packets like we do, they have these dip/squeeze ones there already). I noticed when I was there my ketchup consumption dropped a lot because a) the ketchup or “tomato sauce,” as they call it, doesn’t taste like ours does, it’s too sweet BUT mostly b) I didn’t want to pay 10-20 cents per ketchup packet!

So that could be one way to deter people taking more than they need.

Really like what you’re doing with this blog–i’ll add you to my blog roll =]

]]> By: Jonathan http://www.wastedfood.com/2010/02/08/ketchup-concerns/comment-page-1/#comment-230788 Jonathan Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:25:20 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2010/02/08/ketchup-concerns/#comment-230788 Matt, that's a new wrinkle to the topic and a good one. Many of us (my hand is raised) go to great lengths to get the last bit of toothpaste out of a tube. Yet, I'm sure few people do the same with ketchup. Probably partly about design, partly about the price. Once these packets come out, I'll have to "investigate" with a nice order of fries. Matt, that’s a new wrinkle to the topic and a good one. Many of us (my hand is raised) go to great lengths to get the last bit of toothpaste out of a tube. Yet, I’m sure few people do the same with ketchup. Probably partly about design, partly about the price.

Once these packets come out, I’ll have to “investigate” with a nice order of fries.

]]> By: Matt http://www.wastedfood.com/2010/02/08/ketchup-concerns/comment-page-1/#comment-230725 Matt Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:34:36 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2010/02/08/ketchup-concerns/#comment-230725 It might also be helpful to consider this question in terms of how the new packaging maximizes the amount of ketchup (catsup?) that can be extracted from each package. I don't know about you, but I find it nearly impossible to squeeze every last bit out of those little packets. With the new design, it appears as if less will be left over. Assuming we're not wasting piles of unopened packages, which results from far too many being handed through the drive-thru (through?) window, part of me thinks that this new design could lead to less overall waste. Something to investigate, anyway. It might also be helpful to consider this question in terms of how the new packaging maximizes the amount of ketchup (catsup?) that can be extracted from each package. I don’t know about you, but I find it nearly impossible to squeeze every last bit out of those little packets. With the new design, it appears as if less will be left over.

Assuming we’re not wasting piles of unopened packages, which results from far too many being handed through the drive-thru (through?) window, part of me thinks that this new design could lead to less overall waste. Something to investigate, anyway.

]]> By: Jonathan http://www.wastedfood.com/2010/02/08/ketchup-concerns/comment-page-1/#comment-230661 Jonathan Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:25:58 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2010/02/08/ketchup-concerns/#comment-230661 Those ketchup packets were designed in 1968. So it's no wonder they're a bit outdated. Hey Arthi, you're in luck--I already write about home food waste. Check the "household" category on the sidebar. But thanks for the feedback because I haven't written about it as much lately. I guess we know what to get dee dee for her birthday... Packaging waste--so true. I have to admit, part of me is impressed that a little thing can squeeze or be peeled away. What a world! Those ketchup packets were designed in 1968. So it’s no wonder they’re a bit outdated.

Hey Arthi, you’re in luck–I already write about home food waste. Check the “household” category on the sidebar. But thanks for the feedback because I haven’t written about it as much lately.

I guess we know what to get dee dee for her birthday…

Packaging waste–so true.

I have to admit, part of me is impressed that a little thing can squeeze or be peeled away. What a world!

]]> By: dee dee http://www.wastedfood.com/2010/02/08/ketchup-concerns/comment-page-1/#comment-230613 dee dee Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:14:51 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2010/02/08/ketchup-concerns/#comment-230613 All those little packets of ketchup, jelly, soy sauce, hot mustard, maple syrup and more make me CRAZY. It's not just the food waste - it's the plastic, foil and paper. And don't get me started on the Keurig coffee makers!!! All those little packets of ketchup, jelly, soy sauce, hot mustard, maple syrup and more make me CRAZY. It’s not just the food waste – it’s the plastic, foil and paper. And don’t get me started on the Keurig coffee makers!!!

]]> By: Arthi http://www.wastedfood.com/2010/02/08/ketchup-concerns/comment-page-1/#comment-230561 Arthi Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:32:43 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2010/02/08/ketchup-concerns/#comment-230561 By the way, I'm glad I've found your blog, as I am concerned about food wastage too. I am doing food management on a tiny scale in my own kitchen, ensuring leftovers are eaten up and repurposing leftovers etc., so that I don't have to see food going to waste. Do you think you might start a sister site, on food wastage and waste management in homes? I would be happy to contribute ideas. By the way, I’m glad I’ve found your blog, as I am concerned about food wastage too.

I am doing food management on a tiny scale in my own kitchen, ensuring leftovers are eaten up and repurposing leftovers etc., so that I don’t have to see food going to waste.

Do you think you might start a sister site, on food wastage and waste management in homes?

I would be happy to contribute ideas.

]]> By: Arthi http://www.wastedfood.com/2010/02/08/ketchup-concerns/comment-page-1/#comment-230559 Arthi Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:30:44 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2010/02/08/ketchup-concerns/#comment-230559 I think too, that they would lead to more waste. Its easier to grab four bulky packets than twelve thin ones. Heinz profits anyways, its only the fast food eatery that loses :-) I think too, that they would lead to more waste.

Its easier to grab four bulky packets than twelve thin ones.

Heinz profits anyways, its only the fast food eatery that loses :-)

]]> By: AJ in AZ http://www.wastedfood.com/2010/02/08/ketchup-concerns/comment-page-1/#comment-230550 AJ in AZ Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:42:01 +0000 http://www.wastedfood.com/2010/02/08/ketchup-concerns/#comment-230550 I work nights in health care and would much prefer the new larger dip size. Who has the time or inclination to open all those little packets just to get a goodly amount of ketchup on their fries? I work nights in health care and would much prefer the new larger dip size. Who has the time or inclination to open all those little packets just to get a goodly amount of ketchup on their fries?

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