Wasting Food: A Problem Many of Us Share
Who amongst us hasn’t felt guilty about throwing away food? It’s a common issue, and I’ve been guilty of it too. Here, I’ll share my journey from mindless food disposal to becoming more conscious and frugal.
Understanding the Magnitude of the Issue
Believe it or not, you aren’t the only one who tosses out uneaten food. Let’s put things into perspective: about 30-40% of the U.S. food supply doesn’t get consumed. That’s more than a third of our entire food supply going straight into the bin! It took me some time to grasp these figures, especially considering my own contributions to this waste.
My Awakening to Food Waste
In my early years as a wife and new mom, my focus was on being the best in those roles. I prepared meals thrice daily, and while we had a budget, I often found myself asking my husband to get takeaway. Surprisingly, some families I knew, with twice the kids, spent less on groceries than I did.
It was perplexing, especially since my upbringing, shaped by my parents’ divorce and frequent relocations, didn’t teach me household management. However, I eventually recognized my flaws, particularly when it came to:
- Choosing meals.
- Grocery shopping decisions.
- Home cooking techniques.
- Proper food storage.
My Top Food Wasting Habits
- Expensive Ingredients: I adore cookbooks and attempting fancy recipes. However, these often required pricey ingredients that weren’t feasible for our budget. More affordable and staple ingredients would have been smarter.
- Brand Loyalty: I was fixated on buying branded products, thinking it reflected our financial status. This mindset drained our budget.
- Quality of Meals: Some of my meals were stellar, but to achieve those, I compromised on others. This meant mundane and less appealing meals on other days, making take-out tempting.
- Oversized Portions: I frequently prepared too much food. Excess leftovers would often be forgotten in the fridge, only to be discarded later.
- Lack of Organization: My kitchen was chaotic. It was hard to track inventory, leading to duplicate purchases and wasted food.
- Not Maximizing Food: I overlooked using leftover bones for broths or flavorings, discarding them post-meal.
- Improper Storage: I wasn’t always aware of the optimal storage methods for various foods, leading to premature spoilage.
- Laziness: At times, I’d leave leftovers out overnight, forgetting to store them.
Steps to Minimize Food Waste
- Composting: Convert food remnants into nutrient-rich compost for plants.
- Preserve Food: Dehydrating can save foods that are past their prime.
- Resourceful Toolkits: The EPA offers kits to help households reduce food waste.
- Understanding Expiry Dates: Many foods are safe post-expiry, which often signifies peak quality rather than safety.
Why Preppers Should Be Concerned About Food Waste
For preppers, food waste is even more pressing. Why?
- Resource Management: Preppers invest significant resources in food storage for emergencies. Wasting food negates these efforts.
- Inventory Balance: Effective rotation of food supplies is crucial. Wasting disrupts this delicate balance.
- Sustainability: Wasting also wastes resources like water and energy, undermining the self-reliance many preppers aim for.
Given these reasons, it’s clear that reducing waste is integral to effective and sustainable prepping.
In Conclusion
Recognizing my mistakes was the turning point for me. Not knowing certain life skills isn’t something to be ashamed of. Think of managing your kitchen and food as a skill to hone. Seek guidance, find resources, and turn from a wasteful consumer into a resourceful one. Reflect on your habits and consider ways to evolve.
