The holidays are here, darlings, and you know what that means—FOOD
Bon appétit, my dears! It’s the most wonderful time of the year—yes, the holidays—and you know what that means: glorious food!
Yes, the County of San Diego wants to make sure you savor every morsel this festive season. Because wasting food, my dears, is simply not in the spirit of holiday cheer! Did you know that a staggering 40% of the total U.S. food supply is wasted every year? Shocking, isn’t it? That’s according to our friends at the USDA.
And oh, my butter-laden hearts, the opportunity for food waste skyrockets during the holidays! From Thanksgiving feasts to New Year’s nibbles, our tables groan under the weight of excess. But waste not, want not, I say—because tossing food isn’t just throwing money away (up to $1,500 a year for the average family of four!)—it’s also making climate change worse. Yes, sweeties, food waste rotting in landfills creates methane, a nasty greenhouse gas that traps heat 80 times more than carbon dioxide! Scary stuff.
But wait! Before you dive headfirst into your roast turkeys and sugarplum dreams, let’s chat about a little holiday helper—reducing food waste! That’s right, darlings, the County of San Diego has some deliciously clever tips to ensure you savor every last bite without tossing precious goodies away.
Plan Like a Pro!
Ah, planning—every chef’s best friend. The key to not wasting food is, well, not making too much. Easier said than done, you say? Fear not! Use tools like SaveTheFood.com’s fabulous “Guest-imator.” It’s like having a kitchen assistant to calculate how much to cook based on your guest list, their appetites, and even your desire for leftovers. Voilà! No more overstuffed fridges.
Love Those Leftovers!
Even the most meticulous planner will have leftovers, and oh, what a treasure they can be! Send guests home with goodies—party favors à la turkey and pie! Or get creative in the kitchen: transform roasted veggies into soups, leftover ham into a hearty quiche, or mashed potatoes into golden, crispy pancakes. And remember, freezing is your best friend! Pack those extras for a cozy meal on a chilly January night.
Compost with Gusto!
For anything you just can’t eat, composting is the way to go! Your curbside green bin awaits those food scraps, or, if you’re a DIY composter, toss veggie peels and eggshells into your backyard bin (skip the meat and bones—no one wants uninvited critters at the compost party). Composting keeps waste out of landfills and turns scraps into garden gold. How très eco-chic!
For more marvelous tips on reducing food waste, visit the County’s Solid Waste Planning and Recycling website. And remember, my dear gourmands, a little planning and a dash of creativity can turn your holiday feast into a triumph of taste and sustainability.
Now, grab your aprons, hug your loved ones, and have the most fabulous holiday season! Bon appétit and happy holidays!
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