Category Archives: History and Culture

Leftover Times

There was an article on leftovers in Wednesday’s New York Times. While it was exciting to see a topic I’m so fond of discussed in that venue, I thought it was…an odd piece. With questionable examples used. Cheese-revoking is bad enough, but bread stealing as retribution?! Making a meal from scratch that’s intended to appear as […]

July 9, 2009 | Also posted in Household | Comments closed

Declare Your Independence from Food Waste

Happy 4th of July, y’all. On this day, I wanted to drop a quick reminder: Please do your best not to waste food while enjoying those oh-so-American activities. If you’re hosting a backyard cookout, that means planning how many guests you’re having, serving reasonable portions and saving leftovers. If you have an abundance at the end […]

July 4, 2009 | Posted in History and Culture | Comments closed

More Mottainai

Everywhere I look, it’s mottainai! Friday, I linked to this guest post on No Impact Man. Then Sunday it was this piece in the SF Chronicle. Yep, mottainai is firmly in the Zeitgeist. As I understand it, the concept is basically a turbo-charged ‘waste not, want not,’ with a little boogeyman added for extra oomph. […]

June 29, 2009 | Posted in History and Culture | Comments closed

Friday Buffet

Mandatory composting is officially a go in San Francisco (and should start this fall), as Mayor Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law. You can read the text of his speech or watch it: — — Mottainai! Here’s a heartening, non-food related post on my favorite Japanese word (and concept). — — Also from Japan, […]

June 26, 2009 | Also posted in Composting, Environment, Friday Buffet | Comments closed

Old Food–Going Once, Going Twice…

…Sold! I didn’t know that food auctions existed before reading this line in Barbara Ehrenreich’s recent op-ed: The rural poor are turning increasingly to “food auctions,” which offer items that may be past their sell-by dates. Auctions sell food from supermarket chains’ warehouses, some of which may have damaged packaging or old dates. Yet, those running the auctions all […]

June 17, 2009 | Also posted in Hunger | Comments closed

Passover and Pantries

It’s Passover, and many Jews observing the holiday will have just cleaned out their chametz (or hametz), the breads, grains and leavened goods. In her fabulous piece on the Well blog, Karen Barrow gives her take on the practice. Or, if anthropomorphic food is more your speed, Mr. Matzah also explains the idea. Whether you’re […]

April 9, 2009 | Posted in History and Culture | Comments closed

Challenging Times

I’m still trying to clear the cobwebs after a long night attending imaginary inaugural balls (and staying up late writing). But here goes: Paraphrasing one of my favorite lines from yesterday’s Obama’s speech, To those who waste food, we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist. Fist clenchers, hear this: […]

January 21, 2009 | Also posted in Household | Comments closed

Sure we can!

Happy 20th birthday, D.C. Central Kitchen! As we hear in this NPR report, the food rescue group got its start recovering lobster bisque from inaugural balls of George H.W. Bush. That was Jan. 20, 1989. These days, the group trains disadvantaged residents of our nation’s capital to be chefs and hopes these culinary students will […]

January 20, 2009 | Also posted in Food Recovery | Comments closed

Change That Looks Back

Happy Monday and Happy Martin Luther King Day. I hope you’re honoring Dr. King in whatever manner you see fit. In case you’ve been in a cave, Tuesday we swear in Barack Obama as the 44th President. Regardless of your political persuasion, there’s no arguing that it will be a historic day (and in my […]

January 19, 2009 | Also posted in Composting | Comments closed

Going Too Far Down Under?

Australian group Do Something received lots of media attention by drawing attention to Christmas food waste. Both television and print media ran stories about how food waste during the holidays harms the environment. Not surprisingly, the reaction hasn’t been that positive. As you can see here, commenters are frustrated that enviornmentalists are trying to tell them how to celebrate their Christmas. And that’s one […]

December 26, 2008 | Also posted in International | Comments closed