We can't put the milk back in the cow, you know. One of the most profound statements we've heard in a long time, and it comes from Aunt Bee to Opie way back when on The Andy Griffith Show. We're wasting tons and tons of food. And that's a bad deal all around.

The University of Arizona's Garbage Project tells us that each American throws out about 1.3 pounds of food each day. Think about all of the energy, chemicals, and transportation involved in getting the food to our plate or refrigerator. Then there is the whole animal issue. Think what you want about eating meat, but it seems a shame to slaughter an animal and then let the meat go bad.

There are countless reasons why wasting food is, well, a waste. But what can we do about it? We've got a couple of recommendations to start off. Please comment with more ideas.

AT HOME

1. When grocery shopping, don't over do it. Think about your schedule for that week, how much you'll be able to cook, and how much will actually get eaten. Avoid buying fresh food in bulk if you usually don't get through it before the food goes bad.
2. Cook & serve smaller portions at home. It's no secret that we Americans like our big servings. We don't like to see the plate - it should be piled high with food! It's usually too much food, and it either goes to waste when you are too full to finish your plate, or have leftovers that never get their chance to be eaten.
3. Learn to freeze! This is a whole tip in itself. Freeze fresh or cooked food if you know you won't be able to use it in time.

EATING OUT

1. Order less. Think about skipping the appetizer if you know you won't be able to finish that plus your meal.
2. Take the leftovers home (and eat them!). Think about bringing your own reusable container so that you don't need to take a disposable doggie bag.
3. Encourage restaurants to serve less food - and to waste less overall. Patronize the restaurants that aren't serving spaghetti piled so high that the ceiling gets tomato sauce stains.

Rebecca says: I think that when we throw out food, we realize that it is a waste, but think more about the waste of money. It's time to think about the big picture, however. If I throw out a "conventional" piece of fruit from South America, how many pesticides and how much petroleum were used just to get it to my home? I think Aunt Bee was really on to something.

What do you think?

Send me your tips! I want to hear what you have to say!