Well, the idea recently popped up again in the form of an editorial from Laurel Anderson, of the Orfalea Foundation. It seems the California-based group has a Recess First campaign that’s part of the s’Cool Food Initiative. Then again, there’s also the Recess Before Lunch initiative.

Understandably, both efforts have the goal of improved classroom performance that comes with eating a decent lunch and having had time to cool down after playing. Yet, both also recognize the significant side effect of recess first: less food waste.

Washington State’s Ethan Bergman has studied the topic and found that students waste about 30 percent less when recess comes first. Given the better classroom performance, enhanced nutrition and–last but somewhat least–diminished food waste, why haven’t more schools switched? Inertia?

When I had the chance to speak with Bergman at the American Dietetic Association conference, he told me that the word is slowly getting out there. He guessed that the percentage of schools with recess before lunch is probably about 10 percent.

Still, that leaves plenty of room for improvement. After all, I don’t see the downside. Does anyone have experience with this topic?

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Here’s a fascinating look at cafeteria food waste in an elementary school in Asheville. Now that is a columnist doing his homework.

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A few Malaysian memories of frugality never hurts…

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Farther South, the Australia Institute has just released a study on food waste there. Aussie households (well, the people in them) throw out $5.2 billion each year. You can download the full study here.

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The UK group Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) plans to move its attention further “upstream,” to promote better use of resources. That’s cool, just as long as you keep Love Food, Hate Waste up and running.

Saturday, as I was biking to the office to finish my…book manuscript first draft (Trick or Treat!!), I came upon the finish line of a Habitat for Humanity bike race. As I was pedaling past, the keeper of the food tent beckoned with my two favorite words: “Free food.” I stopped.

With the race finished and so much food left, they were trying to get anyone and everyone to eat or take home some cookies, brownies, granola bars, yogurt, and fruit. Most of the food came as donations from Whole Foods, who, it seemed had been too generous.

I helped lighten their load a bit, but asked what would happen to the rest, especially the whole oranges and bananas. I suggested that they call the local soup kitchen/shelter, which was less than a mile away. I would have taken a load over myself, but I was on bike and had to get cracking on my book. I’d say there was about a 70 percent chance the food made it to good homes.

Then, on Monday, my wife’s colleague Erik called with news from the Raleigh marathon. They had 18 extra cases of fresh oranges they were going to throw away. Ever the vigilant one, Erik contacted me to ask what to do. I told him to call the nearby Inter-faith Food Shuttle.

From what I understand, the food recovery group snagged all 18 cases a few hours later and they went to those in need. This was an especially happy ending, because fresh produce and protein are the hardest things for food recovery groups to find.

I like “Butterfinger” the most, and it seems like the site’s designers do, too. “High Steaks Poker” seems like the most visually interesting, while “Hero on the Tracks,” is a bit…out there.

Mainly, though, I’m just excited to see so much time, effort and creativity go into publicizing food rescue.

To follow up on the Buy One Get One Free-Later idea, a poorly-worded survey found that 58 percent believe the ability to get the free item later would reduce supermarket waste. But…the idea is aimed at reducing household waste.

Also, here’s one objection to the idea, on the grounds that the retailer will profit when shoppers lose their vouchers or don’t use them. Even though I’m sure that will happen some, I still like the scheme if you can choose whether to get the item now or later. And I haven’t been able to get an answer on that.

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You cannot be serious! I know some of you think I should chill out on the food fight hating, but does anyone think a flinging aid needs to exist? (HT to the Non-Consumer Advocate, who I’m sure will not be buying one.)

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Glad to hear there has been an “overwhelmingly positive response” to trayless dining at Princeton. Here’s sophomore Erik Zyman on the change:

“It may be slightly less convenient, but I think we can all take a hit for the environment.”

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You tell ‘em, Tristram!

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This “service” from a UK waste hauler is so messed up:

We are also able to offer a unique service for the secure destruction of retail packed food and drink products, with a certificate of destruction to ensure the finite destruction of products and complete peace of mind of our customers.

Because I know I won’t rest easy until my company’s food has been destroyed!

Unlike the idea that “just enough” means “it’ll do”–which suggests some sort of lacking– lagom expresses that there is something that is “just right.” It is the perfect amount or size, no more, no less.  

In the realm of food, this term would really help reduce waste. What a novel idea–that we can be content without having an excess.

Also, the piece passes along this excellent Swedish saying: “Enough is as good as a feast.” Sounds like a new tagline for this blog and reminds me of the Japanese concept of Mottainai.

I wonder if there’s a way to directly insert a foreign idea into American culture…While I ponder that, I’m off to discuss lagom with my favorite Swedish foodie.

I get a kick out of the tin foil lining (”the patented stay fresh material”) and the indicator flag. The video is obviously made with a playful tone, so there’s no need to delve into the food safety limitations.

While I’m pretty sure the original (and only?) FoodBox is still around at 14th St. and 6th Ave., I don’t think it’s in use. I’ve heard it’s now stickered over and in disrepair. If you happen to be walking through the West Village, fill us in on its status.

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The Times ran a page one, zero waste article on Monday, including composting. From where I blog, the whole idea of being responsible with our waste is heating up. Now if we can only move toward reducing our amount of waste.

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Converted Organics, a Boston-based, in-vessel composting firm, just signed a deal with a leading waste hauler. The move guarantees them a nice supply of food waste to convert to an organic fertilizer.

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Just in case you weren’t feel queasy today, now you are. Looks like America isn’t the only place cursed with massive portion sizes.

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¡¡Wet blanket alert!! Now’s the time when I play the grumpy blogger who asks: Is this food waste-as-entertainment necessary?



For some reason, I don’t mind this as much as the food fight I recently wrote about. At least there’s a bit of a cultural excuse for Halloween pranks. And Rainn Wilson is a pretty funny guy (and Tweeter). That said, I could live without this piece and the Jay Leno Show from whence it came.

Wednesday marks the much anticipated (at least on this blog) debut of San Francisco’s non-elective composting program. All households and businesses must participate in the 3-bin system, one of which is a green cart for food scraps and other organics.

The preparations for this day have been rather feverish, recently, and it seems like the city is ready. The question is: are its citizens?

The legislation provides potential fines for noncompliance to give the program some teeth. Yet, there’s a moratorium on fines until at least July 2011 and even then they’ll be capped at $100 for households.

What do you make of this kind of enforced green behavior? Too heavy-handed and will prompt a backlash? Or necessary to keep the most food out of the landfill?

UK retailer Tesco will soon offer Buy One Get One Free–Later. The shift comes in the name of Avoiding household waste with foods like produce and dairy items.

When the 2-for-1 promotion is with perishable items, shoppers will receive a voucher for the free item to be used later. I believe they don’t have to wait if they want their free item that day.

I wonder what shoppers will think of this idea? Will other grocers follow suit? I suppose the latter will depend on the former.

Anyway, I’m jazzed about it. Mostly, I’m enthused that retailers are starting to become part of the solution.