The Big Waste — Reaction From Fans on Facebook and Twitter by Victoria Phillips in Community, Shows, January 11th, 2012
Did you know about 40 percent of the food produced in the United States is never eaten? For every American, 200 pounds of perfectly edible food ends up in the trash each year — that’s enough waste to fill a football stadium every single day, according to Food Network’s The Big Waste, a food-waste special, which aired Sunday night.
The show brought to light just how much food America’s convenience stores, restaurants and supermarkets throw out every year: about 27 million tons. Chefs Bobby Flay, Michael Symon, Anne Burrell and Alex Guarnaschelli were given 48 hours to create a multi-course gourmet banquet using only food destined for the trash heap.
Scouring grocery aisles, produce farms, orchard lines and garbage piles on the streets of New York City, the chefs were astounded at the things people discarded.
They weren’t the only ones shocked. The show created quite a buzz on Twitter and Facebook when we asked fans “Tell us: What is one thing you will do to cut down on food waste?”
From Food Network’s Facebook fans:
Kelly Woker Weiand said: Stop cooking for an army when there’s only three of us and freeze food in single-serving containers for future lunches when we’re not tired of the leftovers anymore.
Hungry Healthy Happy said: Collect all of the ends off veggies that I chop off and put them into a freezer bag in the freezer. When the bag is full, I will make a stock from them.
Steph Corvetto said: That show really opened my eyes. I will not be so picky while in the supermarket with my food. I learned a lot last night!
LaDella Thomas said: I watched the show with my eight-year-old and he was appalled at the waste. I plan to raise kids who have that kind of reaction to this problem.
Cheryl Gyles said: Buy less, “shop” from my freezer first.
From Food Network’s Twitter fans:
@bitesizedchef said: Fancy leftover night. Refurbish old dinners by combo-ing a few meals, like brisket with French onion soup as gravy.
@sarahpriv said: Pick one day of the week to go through the fridge and use up or freeze food that is close to going bad.
@maria_svgirl92 said: Make more recipes such as banana bread, bread pudding and applesauce where you can use old bread or bruised fruit.
@Lbartsch said: I’m going to pulverize the crushed tortilla chips that always accumulates at the bottom of the bag to crust fish before frying.
@MusselShack said: Freeze unused fresh herbs before they spoil.
@geekgirlinky said: I think that planning meals can help eliminate waste, that way you only have on hand what you know you will use.
“We’ve got to train ourselves to eat less than perfect peaches,” says Alex Guarnaschelli.
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More posts from Victoria Phillips.
Tags: the big waste
Great Show! I believe we all learned a lot, However, let's not stop threre. Are thre any creative individuals out there who could combine forces so that we foodie cooks could have the opportunity to get food destined for the trash, from reputable restaurants.. One restauranteur mentioned that takig away the fiood about to be trashed actualy saved him money–no need to pay soemeone to haul off the food,.
One thought is a "co-op styled groups.
Additionally this is a wonderful opportunity for food banks. – Let's have your thoughts!
This was the biggest, most self aggrandizing crock of bull I've ever seen. So you snobby chefs cooked for your snobby friends..bravo. How about using celebrity to bring food to the hungry people in America. Put that on the TV. I give this a triple F, and that's not in good way.
I agree…the big waste is a big waste of time!!! they feed people who can afford food …..maybe they should worry about feeding people who are struggling to feed their families….its pathetic!!!
I agree that they are doing this for the wrong people. But it can also be said that they are doing it for the right people. These chefs and cooks that are eating the meal and are hearing about the experience of finding all this food in the trash or throw away pile are the first base. These people deal directly with the biggest in take of food. They deal with buying the products. They can start to learn to take more of the food that may not be picked up, to be better educated and do something with their left over foods or the way they deal with their providers. Its a first step.
I am a recent culinary school graduate. Saving waste for other uses is taught from day 1. I did not read every post here so I may repeat something that was already said. I am shocked yes, but not surprised. Someone suggested that these chefs acted surprised. I am certain that they actually were. Unless you farm everything on your menu yourself, there is not a direct view of where things come from. Chef’s order food from vendors and do not ask for seconds or cut rate products. They expect the best. Even the farmers cull product themselves based on their standards. Why would they take up space in a box with two smaller cabbages that would not bring a price equal to one “perfect” head? It all boils down to the mighty dollar.
As for the homeless and hungry……… YES!, there is no excuse for the hunger epidemic in America. It is sad to say that corporate food retailers are not interested in paying for the labor to distribute “unsellable” product. Sell by dates and government regulations and our own need for the perfect product only make things worse. These things may even be contributing to rising food costs. Also you should be aware that some farmers will over plant and welcome the waste in order to write off the “losses” at tax time.
What will I do in the future?
I will no longer turn up my nose at dented cans
When my restaurant or catering business takes off I will work closely with local farmers
I will even be so bold to ask store managers for discounts on blemished produce
There is too much to mention
You might want to research the health risks involved with dented cans before you make a decision like that. I seem to recall there are health factors involved but I do not recall the specifics offhand.
Stuart, I need to say something about dented cans. Sometimes, the dent is due to the fact that what's inside had gone bad. It's one of the well-known warnings against food poisoning. Dents in cans are not always due to an outside physical force upon it. It could be from gases inside. As frugal as I am about shopping, I would never take home dented cans. So, beware. (Regardless of the expiration date on the can.) This warning is even more so in small groceries where the inventory is not turned over too fast, or there is a lack of personnel to review what's on the shelf.
I watched this show in discust. I work at a shelter for homeless famiies and the food wasted could feed every homeless or financially underserved person. A little effort by suppliers, retailers and restaurants and the so called waste could be donated to feed those that really need it.
Absoulutly right, didn't understand why the show did not address connecting the waste they saw at distributors with community resources who would love to have the porduct. Program really fell short because it failed to do this. there would be no waste if we could get this food whrere it was needed. I'm sure ther are those who would vounteer to transport. I don't know about New york but here in Iowa we have good samaritain laws that protect the donor from liability. Unbelievable to me that this was not the focus of the show instead of the consumer being too picky, the poor who live in produce desserts in our cities would love to be able to get that imperfect product. Need an entire systemic approach to distributing,educating on nutrition and teaching cooking and preserving skills to those who are hungry. really need community comercial kitchens for people to use also.
After watching The Big Waste on Food Network, I found that I was profoundly effected. My shopping trip today was very different, I was not as concerned about having that "perfect" bunch of broccoli or bananas. A few bruises or a soft spot or two really just don't matter in the grand scheme of things. Thank you michael d symon, Bobby Flay, Chef Alexandra Guarnaschelli and Anne Burrell for bringing this to light. I am curious though as to why the retail stores didn't mark down some of the produce instead of pulling it off of the shelves for the trash. Perhaps people that are having a hard time could have benefited from the reductions.
I'm curious as to what the Food Network does after Cupcake Wars, 1000 winning cupcakes go to the event, where do the other 1000 cupcakes go? In the episodes of Food Network Challenge that are being aired, extreme cakes are being made, what happens to the cakes that don't win? Unfortunately it seems as though your competitive programs create a great deal of waste. Providing shelters with massive quantities of cupcakes and such is not a good idea, my daughter thought you should "trade" some local grocery stores for vegetables. They can sell your cupcakes and you can donate vegetables to shelters. Just a thought.
I also am curious to know. That's a lot of stuff to do something with. I would think shelters would welcome cake and cupcakes. It seems like it would be a special treat for them. The Rachel Ray Show is able to donate whatever her show cooks, why can't the others?
I want the chefs to do ANOTHER SHOW about food waste WITHIN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS everyday. I work as a monitor IN the lunchroom and I am sickened to tears everyday with the food the students throw away beause the food is so bad! (or bad-looking so they won't try it). I don't blame them as it is awful food. The parents have NO CLUE how much money they are wasting by paying for school meals only to have it thrown away. Even cartons of milk are throw away without even being OPENED! But since the milk carton is ON their plates for 15 minutes, the state of Illinois won't allow us to put it back in the cooler – even up-opened! I count – on average – 90 cartons of white and chocolate milk going INTO THE TRASH without being opened. It's sick. Little do they know that I am poor myself and would LOVE TO HAVE that milk for my own lunch since I go without and the school won't let me have any leftovers for free that are throwin away ANYWAY. :( Please chefs…..if anyone reads this, please come to our schools!!
YOU THINKS THATS BAD OUR OWN GOVERNMENT ON MILITARY BASES TOSS OUT , TONS OF FOOD EVERY DAY THROUGH OUT THE WORLD. DO TO GOVERNMENT REGULTIONS EVEN IF,THE FOOD IS STILL GOOD LIKE BREAD ONCE ITS OPENED AND EVEN UNOPENED BREAD NOT USED BY CERTAIN TIME IT GOES TO WASTE. AT ONE TIME IT WOULD HAVE GONE TO FOOD BANK OR SHELTER.
FAST FOOD WASTE IS JUST AS BAD TONS OF WASTE IN THAT BUSINESS NOTHING AGAINST YOU IT IS ALL ABOUT LIABILTY, TRUST ME I KNOW WERE YOUR COMING FROM. TO MANY PEOPLE HAVE TRIED, OR HAVE BEEN AWARDED STUPID MONEY FOR SOMETHING THEY GOT FOR FREE..ITS A SHAME AND A CRIME TO WASTE .THIS IS WHY GOOD FOOD GOES TO WASTE IN OUR GOVERNMENT RUNED SYSTEMS. UNFORTUNATELY IT TAKES ONE PERSON TO WRECK A GOOD THING. PERSONALLY IT MAKES ME ILL THINKING ABOUT IT
with all this talk can't we get a web site set up from the stores that are setting out the waste. like just what day of the week? and let people come and take it…. I'd gladly pick up food and take to local food bank, Meals on Wheels or homeless shelter. and maybe just keep a few things to help feed my own family (once a month I pull out things in the back of the shelves and make creative dinners that week using them up so they don't go bad)
Wasn't anyone annoyed with "The Big Waste"?! Consumers were portrayed as the bad guys for not wanting to pay full price for imperfect food. We're not the bad guys! Im sure many people would purchase imperfect yet safe food at a reduced price. Why wasn't this addressed? Wouldn't have a big wow effect for ratings would it? Shame on you Food Network.
I was very annoyed. As a a consumer, it is my choice if I want to pay top dollar for what I consider to be perfect food. With Imperfect food, there is still waste. The rotten or bruised portion still has to be cut from the fruit or vegetable and disposed. As a consumer I have rights too and that doesn't make me an evil person. I agree there is a problem, but the solution does not lie within my hands so don't blame me Food Network or make me out to be the bad guy in this situation.
I do not understand why this food is not donated to shelters, "soup" kitchens or even schools cafeteria's as our children are hungry or eating mystery meat and frozen fries. This should be your next endevor with this show, I would be happy to help! All that produce, eggs,
fish and meat… what a shame… It is really a sin.
One reason I am sure why so much food gets wasted is because people are finding more & more difficult to pay for food. I have always been able to pay for food and not worry about it, but now even I am starting to say that I just can't afford to buy much food anymore. Also, another thing that needs to be brought to light is that our fruits and veggies are no longer as nutritious as they used to be. Too many chemicals have depleted there nutritional value. We can no longer trust mass produced food. We must start raising our own food or go to farmers markets and ask what they use for fertilizer. Our government is only concerned about the almighty dollar and tell us that the chemicals in our food are not enough to hurt us.. What about over the course of many years?
GOVERMENT HAS BEEN SUBSIDEING FARMERS THAT USE PESTICIDES AND CHEMICLES FOR ALONG TIME. UNFORTUNELY ORGANIC FARMERS ARE NOT. ORGANIC FARMING OF CORSE IS FAR BETTER ALL THE WAY AROUND. YOUR RIGHT ARE FOOD HAS BEEN TANTED AND ALTERED GENETICALLY IT IS THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR THANKS TO POWERFUL COMPANIES LIKE ADM DOW AND MANY OTHERS LOBBY. STEROIDS IN BEEF AND POULTRY. FOOD IS NOT SAME AGREED
YOU DONOT NEED MUCH SPACE TO GROW THE BASICS I POT ALL MY HERBS I GREW ALL MY PEPPERS IN POTS. CUMMUNITY GARDENS ARE ONE WAY. I GREW UP AND MAJORITY HAD A GARDEN, AND FRUIT TREES , I LIVE IN THE CITY. YES OPEN AIR MARKETS ARE GREAT. I AM ALSO FORTUNATE TO LIVE NEAR LOCAL FARMS HERE IN NE OHIO. YES WE NEED TO GET BACK TO THE BASICS AND THINKING ABOUT OUR FUTURE. BUT IF EVERYONE PITCHED IN AND GREW ALITTLE SOMETHING AND SHARED ALITTLE.WE BETTER OFF MY GRANDFATHER REFUSED TO BUT ANYTHING FROM A CAN. SO WE JARED OUR OWN. FOR SAME REASONS YOU HAVE METIONED.
I NOT SURE HOW MUCH SPACE YOU HAVE BUT IF YOU NEED ANY IDEAS WRITE ME