Wasted Food

I’ve got some good news and some bad news about Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
First, the bad: Abu Dhabi’s resort buffets produce massive amounts of food waste. While this isn’t much different in Las Vegas or other buffet-laden destinations, it’s a problem.
Without local food recovery groups, Abu Dhabi’s resort restaurants, especially […]

Our friends at Chili’s have found a new way to encourage food waste: The Bottomless Express Lunch.
Not content with over-sized portions, Chili’s is pushing waste–and no doubt waistlines–to new levels with this new promotion. The price and use of the word ‘bottomless’ will likely compel customers to eat to “get their money’s worth.” That means […]

Tigers and Strawberries continues its series on avoiding restaurant food waste, discussing efficient storeroom procedures and utilizing surplus.
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You cartographers and map lovers will enjoy the compost path at Vermont’s Green Mountain College. The school feeds two pigs with the prep waste (kitchen scraps) and composts the plate waste (what students discard).
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While it doesn’t […]

With Passover just around the corner, it seems ironic that Egyptian bread is in the news. The Financial Times of Germany (even more irony?) reported that 20 percent of Egyptian bread made with subsidized wheat is going to waste. The culprit:
Corrupt bakers sell their cheap flour on the black market or deliberately ruin some of […]

I’ve often heaped praise on T.G.I. Friday’s for offering smaller sized meals in the “Right Portion, Right Prize” menu. Here’s where I prove I’m not on the T.G.I. payroll.
I recently came across a list of organic waste produced by all restaurants in Southeastern Massachusetts (no link, because it’s not online). Given the geographic specificity, this […]

Well, The Fed is at it again, cutting interest rates. But could the recession sparking these moves “cut” the rate of food wasted?
As you’d expect, there’s less eating out in lean times. This article documents that trend from a trash collector’s perspective. Less business, means less food waste, right? Maybe.
Fewer diners equals less plate waste […]

Tuesday I linked to an article on the massive food waste in Britain. Buried deep within that piece was a fascinating quote that warrants discussion:
Tim Lang, food policy professor at City University, said: “Waste is a fundamental part of the food economy and it will be hard to get rid of. I do not see […]

This article in Idaho’s Twin Falls Times-News provides insight into why restaurants think waste is “inevitable.”
Unfortunately, the piece’s author allowed two common myths to go unchallenged. First, that food recovery groups won’t keep donated food at the right temperature, allowing it to dip into the bacteria danger zone. Most food recovery groups employ refrigerated trucks […]

For you science-minded folks, here’s the Table of Condiments that Periodically Go Bad. I love the idea and the title, but disagree with some of the cautious estimates. When was the last time you threw away ketchup after five months (or spelled it ‘ketsup’)?
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This blogger and I could be fast friends. Check out her […]

I drive by this sign every day.

Assuming the ‘large portions’ refer to the first and not the last item, here’s a clear example of a restaurant (likely a franchisee) pushing overeating or waste.
The message I’m getting is: ‘Eat an unhealthy amount or throw away a whole bunch. It’s your choice. Either way, check out the […]