U.S. Food Waste at 40 Percent

U.S. Food Waste at 40 Percent – The Daily Beast.

Americans have a global reputation for eating astounding amounts of food. Now it looks like consumers in the U.S. can add to that stereotype an equally embarrassing reputation for throwing out their food. According to a new report from the Natural Resources Defense Council, Americans throw out nearly every other bite of food. That adds up to 40 percent of the country’s annual supply, and a total of $165 billion of uneaten provisions. That’s a sharp 50 percent jump from the 1970s, and 10 times more than consumers in Southeast Asia.

NeilS — Clearly this is a lot of wasted food.  Hopefully we can soon figure out a way to harness this waste in some useful way.  For example, food processors that take waste and turn it into electricity?  Of course, how can we not waste that much food when we eat at restaurants that serve Herculean portion sizes?  As the American obesity epidemic comes more and more into the forefront of social conscience, people are trying to manage their weight and eat the proper portion sizes.  This does not go hand in hand with eating at your typical American restaurant that serves portions big enough for two or even three people.  Maybe we should all consider asking our waiters and waitresses to give us half the portion size if we know we are going to throw half of it away.  Just some food for thought .

On a side note, welcome back if you are reading this.  We took a pretty long break from keeping up with this site due to extraneous circumstances, but I plan on keeping it up here and there so stay tuned!