Long Beach, CA – <9/12/23> – In its continued effort to combat food insecurity and food waste, Food Finders is hosting its 2nd annual Farm to Tableaux fundraiser. Currently, 1 in 4 people in Los Angeles County suffer from food insecurity, and despite the need, 38% of all food produced in the US goes uneaten or unsold.
“Food is a basic human right, yet far too many individuals and families suffer from chronic hunger and do not know where their next meal is coming from,” said Diana Lara, the Executive Director of Food Finders. “With millions of pounds of food discarded every year, we’re committed to rescuing that food and bringing it to people in need.”
The event will be a celebration of the art and culture of Frida Kahlo. Guests will enjoy a taste of Mexican cuisine and Mexican-inspired performances from local entertainers and artists. All proceeds will support Food Finders’ main food rescue program.
Last year’s event raised $168,000, which provided 1,848,000 meals to the communities Food Finders served. In 2022, Food Finders rescued 13,507,207 pounds of food, providing meals to 3,750,000 individuals!
“Wasted food still requires resources such as cropland, water, time, and energy. When this food ends up in a landfill, it emits greenhouse gases that are directly linked to climate change,” continued Lara. “Working together with our local partner agencies, volunteers, and supporters we will continue to make a tremendous impact on hunger, food waste, and the planet.”
THE DETAILS When & Where: September 23rd , 2023, from 5-9 p.m. at The Betty Reckas Cultural Center in Long Beach. Sponsors: Banc Of California, California Resources Corp, Servicon, Port of Long Beach, Laserfiche, Commercial Bank, Albertsons, Oak Ridge Winery, City National Bank, Smart & Final, Epson, F&M Bank, Grocery Outlet, the Los Angeles Lakers, AES, Marathon How much: VIP tickets are $175, General Admission are $125, and there are only 350 seats available! https://foodfinders.org/event/farm-to-tableaux-fun-fabulous-frida
About Food Finders Food Finders’ mission is to eliminate hunger and food waste while improving nutrition in food- insecure communities. Food Finders links surplus food from local businesses to non-profit partners providing food-insecure households and individuals with a meal or food pantry service. Their operation spans a four-county area that includes Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside.
Media Contacts: Diana Lara, dlara@foodfinders.org,562-283-1400×101
The Continuing Journey of a Nutrition Students Journey To Make An Impact
As I reflect on the last three months of nutrition Blogs, it pleases me to see all of the good Food Finders does.
In 2022, Food Findersrescued 13,709,033 pounds of food, resulting in Food Finders providing 11,424,195 meals to people living with food insecurity.
What a beautiful example of how rescuing food that would typically go to waste and repurposing it helps to feed so many people. Food that usually ends up in the trash and eventually landfills contributes to climate change. Whether food waste and repurposing, healthy eating on a budget, or stretching resource dollars to nutrition education. The tools provided help those in need help themselves as much as possible when struggling with food insecurity.
Food Waste Is A Huge Problem
Food Waste is a problem that isn’t going away, so we must stay vigilant by not losing sight of the bigger picture. What is the bigger picture, you say? In addition to the many hungry people who could eat that wasted food caused by poor planning and expiration date confusion, the long-term effects on the environment are tragic.
Repurposing, Resources, and Education are the Answer!
If you have followed my blog posts, you might get tired of this topic, but I do not care. I will do whatever it takes to increase awareness of this problem that has a solution. Food Finders work hard to plan and implement food repurposing through their Partner Agency Coordinator. Additionally, Food Finders provides nutrition education and resources to educate the recipients of this beautiful rescued food on healthy eating, proper storage, and clearing up expiration date confusion.
Healthy Eating on a Budget
When considering healthy eating on a budget, you’re thinking dollar signs $$$. As a full-time student and an intern at Food Finders, eating healthy is significant. I shop the sale ads and plan meals based on what I already have in my pantry and refrigerator, saving time and money.
However, there is a crucial part of eating healthy on a budget that saves you long-term that many people do not consider. Many need to consider the long-term health implications of poor eating habits. Our intricately designed bodies serve us well when we treat them well. Eating well today can save you thousands, if not more, in medical bills later on. If you do not treat your body well, you are setting the stage for obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.
Plan. Eat Well. Live Well.
Stretching Resource Dollars
What are resource dollars?
Your resource dollars can be the cold, hard cash you work so hard for, or it can also be CalFresh, known federally as SNAP(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). This July Edition is all about making both work harder for your household.
What is important is how to utilize your resources to get maximum benefit. It’s not that hard if you employ what I have shared in the last few months. It all ties together. You can stretch your resource dollars if you use the information you have learned from food waste, repurposing, and healthy eating on a budget.
Working with the City of Long Beach to get nutrition education to Long Beach City College is one way we do our part to reduce waste by repurposing food. It isn’t enough that we are getting food into the hands of those in need but also to educate them on the many nutrient-dense meals that reduce waste.
Kelly Alarcon, a Student at California State University, Long Beach, with a concentration in Nutrition and Nutritional Science, is passionate about showing others the path to wellness through nutrition while reducing hunger and food waste. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-alarcon-194313220
The budget constraints of a full-time college student can be daunting but it doesn’t have to be. As a full-time student who works and keeps a household afloat, every penny matters! Food costs are on the rise and that makes it more important than ever to shop smart. That is where I began to understand the importance of “Resource Dollars.”
How to stretch your resource dollars. ★ Tip #1 Non-Food Savings Before I get into what you can do to be a smarter shopper with food, have you considered non-food ways to save? When I started school I knew my budget was going to be tight. So, I went over my monthly bills and took a really careful look at where my money was going. The first thing I did was cancel the cable. I was single, living on my own, and between work and school when I was home I didn’t have time to surf through 400 plus channels finding nothing to watch because I was either studying or sleeping. Next, I looked at what I was spending on non-essentials and I realized that I tend to spend a lot of money at the nail salon. Did I like having gel manicures and pedicures? YES, in fact, I loved it but it was not a necessity. So, even though I stopped going to the salon, I learned how to manicure my own nails, and this is a win/win. Believe it or not, the savings on the cable bill and nail salon were almost $300.
★ Tip #2 Meal Planning is Key You’ve heard me say it before and I will say it again and again: Planning is key! Failing to plan is planning to fail. One of the things I do is keep a running grocery list. I use the notepad on my phone. This comes in clutch, especially with the basics that I always have on hand such as: cooking oil, rice, eggs, and spices. By planning meals ahead of time I can use food ingredients that are on sale that week!
★ Tip #3 Don’t Get Sucked into the Bulk Buys. There are plenty of instances where buying in bulk will save you. However, buying in bulk is not guaranteed savings. Look at the cost per ounce, pound, and other measurements. For example, an organic bunch of green onions that are typically 8-10 onions is around $1.50/ea. vs non-organic for .99/ea. But it contains only 4-5 onions. By purchasing the organic you are getting double the onions for a lot less.
★ Tip #4 Shop Weekly Ads As I mentioned before, the weekly ads from my local grocers are where I start. I find two or three proteins on sale and then I begin to plan my meals with these additional savings in mind.
★ Tip #5 Clip Coupons I have mobile apps for all of the grocery stores I frequent. I search the weekly ads for digital coupons for items that I need. I know it might be hard to refrain but only use the coupons for items on your list. Most things outside of this will take you out of budget. As with all things, there are always exceptions to the rule. If I see eggs, cheese, and other nutrient-rich foods that require a coupon I will do my best to include it in my shopping budget for the week. Remember animal proteins and cheese will freeze well.
★ Tip #6 Check Expiration Dates Just because it is on sale doesn’t mean stock up. Look at the expiration date and shop accordingly. Oftentimes food goes on sale because an expiration date is nearing or they could simply have too much stock. Utilize the Food Keepers App which is a product of the USDA: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.usda.fsis.foodkeeper2&hl=en
★ Tip #7 Buy Generic Be careful where your loyalty lies with name-brand products. There are plenty of quality generic items you could be saving big dollars on. For this example, I will talk about marinara sauce. If you pay attention you’ll notice all of the name-brand sauces are at eye level, and generic or store-brand sauces are on the bottom shelf. I challenge you to take a jar of marinara sauce such as Rao and compare it to a store-brand marinara sauce. You’ll be surprised to see the similarity in the ingredients. Rao is a well-known marinara sauce popular among low-carb eaters as the way to go. For ½ cup of sauce from Rao, you have 90 calories with 4g of carbs. For the Great Value brand, you get ½ cup for 60 calories and 7g of carbs. Not a significant difference in the macronutrient content but the price savings are incredible. 24 oz of Rao marinara sauce at WalMart is $7.72 per jar vs Wal-Marts Great Value brand which is $1.48 for a 23oz sized jar.
★ Tip #8 Do not Go to the Store Hungry This might be one of the most important tips. You could throw away all of your planning by going to the store hungry. Just like you plan your trips to the store, plan to eat before. You can be guaranteed to go out of budget and will definitely eat something void of nutrition as well. Don’t end up like the hangry bear!
Remember Planning is Key when stretching resource dollars while reducing food waste and being good to our planet.
Kelly Alarcon, Student at California State University, Long Beach with a concentration in Nutrition and Nutritional Science has a passion for showing others the path to wellness through nutrition while reducing hunger and food waste. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-alarcon-194313220/
As a full-time Dietetics and Food Administration, Nutrition and Nutritional Science Option, BS student at California State University, Long Beach, and intern at Food Finders, nutrition and reducing hunger and food waste are an important part of my life. I learned in my junior year of school at California State, Long Beach how many people in the United States go to bed hungry every night, so many of them children, and my heart broke. I knew then that my passion for nutrition and eating for wellness was not all I was passionate about.
I quickly became vested in learning how I could not only educate people on the benefits of healthy eating but also reducing food waste, repurposing food, and getting food to those in need.
I realized that my knack for meal planning and shopping on a limited budget was something that I understand and was a big part of helping people to reduce food waste. The question for me was how could I combine these two skills and make a bigger impact.
Food Waste is a Problem
Food waste is a huge problem in the United States with the vast majority of waste occurring in the home. Poor planning and expiration dates on the food we purchase are large contributors. Many would rather toss food they aren’t sure about, which affects the environment’s equity, than risk getting a foodborne illness.
Repurposing, Resources, and Education is the answer!
We work hard to plan and implement food repurposing through the Partner Agency Coordinators.
Additionally, we are working hard to provide education and resources that explain not only how to properly store food but how to interpret the various expiration dates we see on food such as “use by”, ‘sell by”, etc.
The FoodKeepers application supported by the USDA is a great resource to help people sort through the confusing world of labels and dates. It can help you not only interpret the varying expiration date labels, but also can explain the best storage methods for various foods to reduce waste.
Meal Planning
Meal planning is one of the biggest ways that all of us can stop food waste. Who hasn’t gone to the grocery store hungry and bought more than they needed?
When you plan your meals or even just your shopping, it reduces food waste. And don’t forget that planning ahead is also easy on your wallet—a big plus! By planning your meals for the week and then creating your shopping list based on your meals can cut waste by 15% or more.
Here’s a recipe that will guide you to the deliciousness of potato peel chips. Not only are they delicious but you are reducing food waste by repurposing your peels into a crunchy snack or appetizer that has a ton more potassium and magnesium than the flesh of the potato as well as 12 times the antioxidants, so eat up.
Shop the grocery store’s weekly ads. With the cost of food up by 25% or more, finding proteins that are on sale that week is where I start my meal planning.
I do NOT go to the store hungry. Going grocery shopping hungry guarantees I will buy some overpriced and over-processed snack that I promptly eat on the way home. This not only takes me out of budget but is unhealthy.
I stick to my list.
I prepare my fruits and veggies for the week. If I have salads planned I pre-cut and wash my lettuce, carrots, red cabbage, and cucumbers. I also wash and cut up any melons or fruit for the week as well. Doing this makes busy weeks easier and allows for a nutritious snack of fruit that is easy to grab.
Nutrition Talks Program
This is all information I use when in our Nutrition Talks Program with our partner agencies. I do a basic overview of nutrition and its importance with interactive tools that keep people engaged in what they are learning. One example is my Nutrition Facts Label workshop which starts with a scavenger hunt looking for a pantry item with a nutrition facts label and ties up with a Q & A on what was learned. This month I will be visiting Long Beach City College for an interactive demonstration on how to repurpose fruits and vegetables.
Working with the City of Long Beach to get nutrition education to Long Beach City College is just one way we do our part to reduce waste by repurposing food. It isn’t enough that we are getting food into the hands of those in need but also to educate them on the many nutrient-dense meals that can be created while reducing waste.
Kelly Alarcon, Student at California State University, Long Beach with a concentration in Nutrition and Nutritional Science has a passion for showing others the path to wellness through nutrition while reducing hunger and food waste. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-alarcon-194313220/
At Food Finders, we always work with community partners to help feed food-insecure communities in Southern California. Our food rescue operations and programs are working to stop food waste by rescuing food from area businesses. We are on a mission to eliminate hunger by delivering this rescued food to local area nonprofits that can distribute the food to people in need. For 34 years, we have been feeding people and preventing food waste from further damaging our climate. Still, we can only do so much to make significant changes to the barriers and challenges preventing communities from thriving and nourishing their families.
During Black History Month, we wanted to explore the changemakers to food justice. Most people don’t think of the Black Panther Party as a leader in food justice. Still, one of the fundamental aspects of the Party was its commitment to serving black communities through various social programs, including ambulance services, health clinics, and the creation of schools. Their most successful social program was the Free Breakfast for Children Program, which provided food for children across the United States.
Black Panther Party Free Breakfast Program, Oakland, California
In 1966, when the Black Panther Party was established, they knew that the children in Oakland, California, were hungry and did not have access to nutritious meals. They understood that the ability to focus and be ready for school is much easier for a child if they have a nutritious breakfast to start the day learning. That is how the free breakfast program started ‘to help ensure kids had a healthy start to the day’.
By 1971, the Black Panthers had implemented programs in 36 cities across the United States. They served children meals in church basements, community centers, and local cafeterias. Thousand of free meals were served to thousands of young people. A little-known fact is that their efforts ultimately helped to inspire the National School Breakfast program, which expanded to all schools by 1975.
Here is a description from History.com:
The first BPP Breakfast Program opened in January 1969 at Father Earl A. Neil’s St. Augustine Episcopal Church in Oakland, California. On the first day of the Free for Children Breakfast Program, Party members fed eleven children. By the end of that week, the number rose to 135 children. According to BPP member Flores Forbes, Panthers “cooked, served the food, knocked on doors to let the people know which apartment the food was being served in.” Less than two months later, the Party opened up another breakfast program at San Francisco’s Sacred Heart Church.
In Los Angeles, Forbes and others spoke to parents and business owners, explaining how the Breakfast Program would help black children “grow and intellectually develop because children can’t learn on empty stomachs.” Forbes later recalled that the response was “overwhelming.” Breakfast Programs were springing up everywhere. During the height of the Party’s influence, the Los Angeles Breakfast Program provided food for an estimated 1,200 children per week. In New Orleans, the BPP’s Breakfast Program fed more than 300 children on a weekly basis.
BPP Food Distribution
As the BPP became overwhelmingly successful, it became mandatory for all chapters to have a Free Breakfast for Children Program. The minimum requirement for the Free Breakfast Program was an available space with tables and chairs for at least fifty people. Panther leaders requested a minimum of ten persons working—two persons on traffic control; one person at the sign in table; one person taking coats and hats; four servers; and two cooks. As a grassroots organization, the BPP relied on the support of ordinary men and women to help fund the Breakfast Programs and the organization as a whole. To that end, members of the Party organized a number of fundraising events in order to collect money, food, and kitchen supplies from local churches and businesses.
Black History Month is an opportunity for everyone to learn more about the contributions of people of color in America. The free breakfast movement expanded by the Black Panther Party was a contribution that ultimately helped to feed millions of children who suffer from hunger in our country. Their dedication and sacrifice have lived on to help educate children and lift them out of poverty for over 50 years.
Food Finders and it’s over 500 community nonprofit partners hope to build on this legacy and make a long-lasting impact in the lives of children. We will end childhood hunger when we all understand how nourishment and education cannot be separated. Today we recognize and honor Huey Newton and Bobby Seale for their vision to empower their communities and feed their children.
To Learn More about the Black Panthers watch this PBS Documentary
Join Food Finders in our weekly #MeatlessMonday posts and recipes. Taking one day a week to eat “meatless” is of the utmost importance, especially in the United States, as we consume much more animal products than the rest of the world. Below are some of the reasons that we spotlight these recipes:
Meatless Monday is of utmost importance, especially in the United States, as we consume much more animal products than the rest of the world.
The meat industry uses vast amounts of our finite fossil fuels and water and lots of grain to feed livestock, which is extremely inefficient. Why not use those resources to feed people more directly?
Meat production also is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, which has proven to correlate to the climate change crisis.
Some benefits of eating plant-based once a week include:
Save 133 gallons of water with each meatless meal!
Reduce your carbon footprint by 8 pounds each Meatless Monday you participate in
If you commit to participating in Meatless Monday every Monday, that is equivalent to skipping one serving of beef for a year, would save the same amount of emissions as driving 348 miles in a car.
Why Meatless Monday? Some avoid meat products for environmental reasons, or for their love of animals, and ethically oppose consuming animal products. Others go meatless to live longer, healthier lives. A lot of scientific research points to significant health benefits of eating vegetarian, and even the federal government recommends consuming most of our calories from grain products, vegetables, and fruit. An estimated 70 percent of all diseases are related to diet, and that’s just one benefit of a meatless diet.
Ward Off Disease
Vegetarian diets are shown to have more health benefits than the average American’s diet. Eating meatless can help treat and prevent heart disease and reduce the risk of certain cancers. A low-fat vegetarian diet is a major way to prevent the progression of coronary artery disease, and can help prevent it entirely. Cardiovascular disease kills 1 million Americans annually and is the leading cause of death in the United States.
To Help Reduce Pollution
The meat industry has huge, devastating effects on our environment. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), chemical waste and animal waste runoff from factory farms is responsible for 173,000 miles of polluted rivers and streams. This runoff flowing into farmland is one of the greatest threats to water quality today. Agricultural activities that cause pollution include confined animal facilities, plowing, pesticide spraying, irrigation, fertilizing and harvesting.
Create a Plate Full of Color
Disease-fighting phytochemicals give fruits and vegetables their rich, varied hues. They come in two main classes: carotenoids and anthocyanins. Carotenoids include rich yellow and orange fruits: carrots, oranges, sweet potatoes, mangoes, pumpkins, corn. Leafy greens are also full of carotenoids, owing their color to chlorophyll. Anthocyanins cover all red, blue, and purple fruits and vegetables: plums, cherries, red bell peppers. Planning meals and rotation by color will help boost your immunity and prevent a range of diseases.
Help End World Hunger
On Average, 40% of grain worldwide is fed to animals, in wealthier countries grain used for feed is around 70%. If these crops were used to feed people rather than animals, roughly 70% more food would be added to the world’s supply. This would be enough to feed 4 billion additional people, and the sudden surplus of this food alone would feed over half the Earth’s population; let alone the 795 million who face hunger every day.
Finding good-for-you and great-tasting vegetarian foods is almost effortless nowadays. Walking down the aisles at a supermarket or down the street during lunch, vegetarian options are abundant. The internet, or a local bookstore are also a great resource for delicious at-home recipes. Even eating out, including fast-food, it’s not difficult to find vegetarian options. Their menus usually will now include healthful salad, sandwiches, and entrees on their menus. So instead of asking ‘Why Meatless Mondays?’, instead ask why not.
Asaph. (2022, May 18). Why Be a Vegetarian? Consider Your Health. Vegetarian Times. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
This recipe is for a classic, unadorned latke; no kohlrabi or cumin here. Serve them hot and make more than you think you need. They go fast.
Ingredients
2 large Russet potatoes (about 1 pound), scrubbed and cut lengthwise into quarters
1 large onion (8 ounces), peeled and cut into quarters
2 large eggs
½cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt (or 1 teaspoon fine sea salt), plus more for sprinkling
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Safflower or other oil, for frying
Cooking Instructions
Using a food processor with a coarse grating disc, grate the potatoes and onion. Transfer the mixture to a clean dishtowel and squeeze and wring out as much of the liquid as possible.
Working quickly, transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Add the eggs, flour, salt, baking powder and pepper, and mix until the flour is absorbed.
In a medium heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat, pour in about ¼ inch of the oil. Once the oil is hot (a drop of batter placed in the pan should sizzle), use a heaping tablespoon to drop the batter into the hot pan, cooking in batches. Use a spatula to flatten and shape the drops into discs. When the edges of the latkes are brown and crispy, about 5 minutes, flip. Cook until the second side is deeply browned, about another 5 minutes. Transfer the latkes to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and sprinkle with salt while still warm. Repeat with the remaining batter. ****************
Why Meatless Monday?
Meatless Monday is of utmost importance, especially in the United States, as we consume much more animal products than the rest of the world.
The meat industry uses vast amounts of our finite fossil fuels and water and lots of grain to feed livestock, which is extremely inefficient. Why not use those resources to feed people more directly?
Meat production also is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, which has proven to correlate to the climate change crisis.
Some benefits of eating plant-based once a week include:
Save 133 gallons of water with each meatless meal!
Reduce your carbon footprint by 8 pounds each Meatless Monday you participate in
If you commit to participating in Meatless Monday every Monday, that is equivalent to skipping one serving of beef for a year, would save the same amount of emissions as driving 348 miles in a car.
Clark, M. (2012, November 30). Classic potato latkes. The New York Times. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
If you have a recipe you would like to share with us for #meatlessmondays, please email christian.bearden100@gmail.com.
If you would like to make an impact on reducing food waste and hunger help us grow our food rescue operations: Donate
2 leeks, halved, thinly sliced, and rinsed well (2 cups)
4 celery stalks, diced (1¾ cups)
3 garlic cloves, chopped
¾ teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ cup chopped sage
Heaping ¼ cup chopped parsley
1 teaspoon chopped rosemary
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
1½ to 2 cups vegetable broth
2 eggs, beaten
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Cooking Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease an 8×11 or 9×13-inch baking dish.
Tear the bread into 1-inch pieces and place in a very large bowl.
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the leeks, celery, garlic, salt, and pepper, and sauté for 5 minutes, turning the heat to low halfway through. Pour the leek mixture over the bread and sprinkle with the sage, parsley, rosemary, and thyme. Use your hands to toss until coated. Pour 1½ cups of the broth evenly over the stuffing and toss to coat. Add the eggs and toss again. The bread should feel pretty wet. If it’s still a bit dry, mix in the remaining ½ cup of broth. The amount you use will depend on how dense and dry your bread was.
Transfer the mixture to the baking dish. If making ahead, stop here, cover the dish with foil, and store in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
When ready to bake, drizzle the olive oil on top and bake, covered, for 30 minutes. If the stuffing is still pretty wet, uncover the dish and bake for 5 to 10 more minutes to crisp the top a bit.
Why Meatless Monday?
Meatless Monday is of utmost importance, especially in the United States, as we consume much more animal products than the rest of the world.
The meat industry uses vast amounts of our finite fossil fuels and water and lots of grain to feed livestock, which is extremely inefficient. Why not use those resources to feed people more directly?
Meat production also is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, which has proven to correlate to the climate change crisis.
Some benefits of eating plant-based once a week include:
Save 133 gallons of water with each meatless meal!
Reduce your carbon footprint by 8 pounds each Meatless Monday you participate in
If you commit to participating in Meatless Monday every Monday, that is equivalent to skipping one serving of beef for a year, would save the same amount of emissions as driving 348 miles in a car.
If you have a recipe you would like to share with us for #meatlessmondays, please email christian.bearden100@gmail.com. If you would like to make an impact on reducing food waste and hunger help us grow our food rescue operations: Donate
#WhyWasteFoodWednesday is a call to action to take those almost-in-the-trash food items and turn them into delicious meals!
At least 1.3 billion tons of food is lost or wasted every year around the world—in fields, during transport, in storage, at restaurants, and in our homes! If each individual made a call to action to stop their own food waste–the planet benefits, we have less hunger, and your own grocery bills will go down through the savings.
UN Food & Agricultural
How to Reduce Food Waste at Thanksgiving Dinner
Food waste is a year-round concern, and the large Thanksgiving meal can present a challenge. You’re buying many more ingredients, and you’re making large-scale recipes with lots of potential leftovers. You may be preoccupied with the business of the holiday season, so keeping your food waste in mind can become a small concern. But there are easy ways to reduce food waste and, therefore your environmental impact, even around the holidays. Here are a few tips geared toward Thanksgiving dinner.
Plan How Much Food to Make
Until you know how many people you’re cooking for, you’ll be unable to plan portions accurately. Press for answers and get people to commit. Not only will this ensure you’re not overcooking, it will also benefit party planning in general.
Make an Entire Thanksgiving with Fewer Ingredients
The variety of dishes is a key part of Thanksgiving dinners. Part of the problem is that it can mean separate lists of ingredients for every recipe. But it’s ok if there’s some overlap between your courses; it’s smart, thrifty, and eco-friendly, because it means less packaging and less of a chance that you’re going to have lots of half-used bottles and cans hanging around your fridge or pantry waiting to go bad. Even better, synchronizing ingredients and flavors can make your meal seem like a well-thought-out package and make you look like a genius menu planner.
Use Every Ingredient Wisely
After you’ve shopped and before you reach the leftovers phase, there are ways to make smart use of the extra bits of various ingredients. A great read is a piece by Food editor Joe Yonan’s; “root-to-leaf and seed-to-stem cooking.” He shows you how to use the more expected seeds and the less expected peels of butternut squash for a crispy garnish that would work on any soup or salad. When you have peels left from an apple pie, toss them with cinnamon, sugar, and lemon juice and then bake them to make crisps. At the very least, hang on to scraps for vegetable broth. Freeze the scraps, or make the broth and then freeze that.
The same line of thought applies to whatever meat you may be serving, as well. Rendered or strained fat can be refrigerated and saved for roasting vegetables or sautéing ingredients for hash made from leftovers. Get the most out of your turkey carcass by simmering them with some aromatics for an outstanding stock to be used in future soups. Giblets included with your turkey can become part of the dressing or gravy. Extra pie crust or crust trimmings can be brushed in butter, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, twisted into any shape you want and baked for a quick sweet treat.
How to Use and Store Leftovers
Even if you’ve calculated the exact amount for the number of people at your Thanksgiving, you’re probably going to end up with at least some leftovers. And, to many, leftovers are an important part of Thanksgiving.
To prepare, have lots of containers for packing up food on hand. Your usual glass or plastic hard-sided options are perfect. If you’re planning to send guests home with food, consider asking them to bring their own storage containers. That way, no one is scrambling when it comes time to pack up.
And be mindful of how long food is put out for. Perishable food, including turkey and many sides, can be left at room temperature for 2 hours. Even less is better, so as soon as everyone is done eating, start cleaning up, as much of a drag as it can be. Eat your refrigerated leftovers within four days. If you need to buy yourself more time, go ahead and freeze them before the four days are out, though ideally sooner for the best quality. Hand out leftovers to guests when they leave.
Krystal, B. (2022, November 10). Advice | how to reduce food waste at Thanksgiving dinner. The Washington Post. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
If you have a recipe you would like to share with us for #whywastewednesday, please email christian.bearden100@gmail.com.
If you would like to make an impact on reducing food waste and hunger help us grow our food rescue operations: Donate
Look no further for the Best Ever Cranberry Sauce! This easy and delightful recipe takes only 15 minutes to make and a handful of ingredients! Spiced with cinnamon and sweetened with orange juice, it is the best combination of sweet and tart! The perfect complement to your holiday meal!
One Thanksgiving recipe that often seems to be overlooked is the cranberry sauce. So many people go for the canned stuff, and while it’s great in a pinch, it doesn’t even come close to homemade.
Cranberry Sauce for the Holidays
Cranberry sauce is an essential part of every holiday meal for one simple reason – it cuts through the heaviness of all the other dishes. It’s light, it’s bright, and it’s actually pretty darn healthy. Adding orange and cinnamon to cranberry sauce really gives it more depth of flavor and sweetens it just slightly. It’s still lovely and tart, but not quite so tart that you’ll be puckering your lips.
Can I Make This in Advance
You betcha! In fact, this is a great make-ahead recipe. It’s served chilled so you need to make it at least one day in advance anyways. The flavor is even better after two or three days so if you have time beforehand, consider just getting this recipe out of the way at the beginning of the week. Another note: you might want to double the recipe for plenty of leftovers!
Ingredients
¾ cup sugar
½ cup orange juice
½ cup water
12 oz fresh cranberries rinsed and picked through
pinch of salt
1 cinnamon stick
1 piece of orange peel just use a potato peel or paring knife
Cranberry sauce is the perfect way to cut through the heaviness of a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner and it adds a gorgeous pop of color and flavor to every bite. I hope you give this super easy recipe a try this holiday season!
Cooking Instructions
Combine sugar, orange juice, and water in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir to combine.
Add cranberries, salt, cinnamon stick and orange peel.
Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently.
Continue cooking, for about 10 minutes, or until all or most of the cranberries have popped. I like to leave a handful of berries whole.
Let cool for at least 30 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Can be made up to 3 days in advance.
Nutrition
Calories: 100kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Sodium: 2mg
Potassium: 67mg
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 21g
Vitamin A: 55IU
Vitamin C: 13.4mg
Calcium: 9mg
Iron: 0.2mg
Why Meatless Monday?
Meatless Monday is of utmost importance, especially in the United States, as we consume much more animal products than the rest of the world.
The meat industry uses vast amounts of our finite fossil fuels and water and lots of grain to feed livestock, which is extremely inefficient. Why not use those resources to feed people more directly?
Meat production also is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, which has proven to correlate to the climate change crisis.
Some benefits of eating plant-based once a week include:
Save 133 gallons of water with each meatless meal!
Reduce your carbon footprint by 8 pounds each Meatless Monday you participate in
If you commit to participating in Meatless Monday every Monday, that is equivalent to skipping one serving of beef for a year, would save the same amount of emissions as driving 348 miles in a car.
***
Timeout, T.- M. O. (2019, November 12). The best cranberry sauce: Ready in 15 minutes! Mom On Timeout. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
If you have a recipe you would like to share with us for #meatlessmondays, please email christian.bearden100@gmail.com.
If you would like to make an impact on reducing food waste and hunger help us grow our food rescue operations: Donate #meatlessmonday #foodfindersinc #FoodRescue #reducehunger #improvenutrition #helpfoodinsecurecommunities #HelpEndHunger #Volunteer #Charity #fightinghunger #rescuingfood #Donate #makeanimpact
Classic French ratatouille sounds fancy, but is actually a simple, lovely way of cooking vegetables that are all in season at the same time together in a single plan. Ratatouille together with creamy polenta make a dinner that’s at once hearty and warming, fresh and oh-so-flavorful.
“Ratatouille—a classic combination of late summer vegetables, cooked to tender perfection—is an ideal partner for creamy goat cheese polenta. Together, they’re the vegetarian dinner of your dreams!”
The Modern Proper
Serves: 6 minutes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Calories: 513
Ratatouille
Ingredients
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove, halved
1 small globe eggplant, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
1 medium yellow squash, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
1 yellow, red, or orange bell pepper cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
4 Roma tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon kosher sea salt
Freshly cracked black pepper
5 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves removed
Polenta
Ingredients
6 cups chicken or vegetable stock
2 cups whole milk, plus more as needed
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
1 1/2 cups stone-ground polenta or yellow cornmeal
8 ounces goat cheese
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
10 to 12 fresh basil leaves, minced
Cooking Instructions
Make the ratatouille. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease an 8 x 8-inch baking dish with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and rub the cut sides of the garlic clove all over the bottom and sides. Discard the garlic clove.
On a clean work surface, spread out the eggplant, zucchini, squash, bell pepper, tomato, and onion. Drizzle them with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sprinkle with the garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to taste. Toss to coat well.
Transfer the veggies to the prepared baking dish.. Scatter on the thyme leaves.
Cover. and bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and continue baking until the vegetables are tender, about 25 more minutes.
Meanwhile, make the polenta. In a medium pan, combine the stock, milk, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and slowly whisk in the polenta.
Cook, stirring often, until the polenta begins to pull away from the sides of the pan, about 30 minutes.
Remove the pan from the heat and stir in 6 ounces of the goat cheese. If you’d like the polenta a bit thinner, stir in a bit more milk.
To serve, divide the polenta evenly among six bowls and spoon on a generous serving of the ratatouille. Top with additional goat cheese, toasted pine nuts, and basil. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Protein: 18g
Carbohydrates: 56g
Total Fat: 25g
Dietary Fiber: 8g
Cholesterol: 45mg
Sodium: 1213mg
Total Sugars: 12g
Why Meatless Monday?
Meatless Monday is of utmost importance, especially in the United States, as we consume much more animal products than the rest of the world.
The meat industry uses vast amounts of our finite fossil fuels and water and lots of grain to feed livestock, which is extremely inefficient. Why not use those resources to feed people more directly?
Meat production also is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, which has proven to correlate to the climate change crisis.
Some benefits of eating plant-based once a week include:
Save 133 gallons of water with each meatless meal!
Reduce your carbon footprint by 8 pounds each Meatless Monday you participate in
If you commit to participating in Meatless Monday every Monday, that is equivalent to skipping one serving of beef for a year, would save the same amount of emissions as driving 348 miles in a car.
***
If you have a recipe you would like to share with us for #meatlessmondays, please email christian.bearden100@gmail.com.If you would like to make an impact on reducing food waste and hunger help us grow our food rescue operations: Donate
Creamy goat cheese polenta with ratatouille. The Modern Proper. (n.d.). Retrieved November 1, 2022.
#WhyWasteFood Wednesday is a call to action to take those almost-in-the-trash food items and turn them into delicious meals!
At least 1.3 billion tons of food is lost or wasted every year around the world—in fields, during transport, in storage, at restaurants, and in our homes! If each individual made a call to action to stop their own food waste–the planet benefits, we have less hunger, and your own grocery bills will go down through the savings.
UN Food & Agriculture
Scraps: Corn Cobs, Corn Husks, Corn Silks
Corn Husk Smoked Chicken
Corn is delicious, but creates more waste than what ends up on the plate. That’s the inspiration behind this dish. This is a delicious dinner that uses all the parts that typically end up in the compost.
Creamy Polenta
Ingredients
5 corn cobs
1½ tsp (9g) kosher salt
⅓ cup (90g) coarse ground cornmeal
2 tbsp (30g) freshly grated Grana Padano or Parmigiano-Reggiano
1 tbsp (14g) unsalted butter
Directions
In a heavy-based saucepan, combine the corn cobs with enough water to cover them. Heat over medium-high heat just until it begins to boil. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for 1 hour, covered.
Strain and discard the corn cobs. Return the corn stock to the stove and simmer over medium-high heat. Add the kosher salt. Add the cornmeal and whisk the mixture as it comes to a boil. Continue whisking for an additional 3 minutes. 3 4
Reduce the heat to very low, cover the pan, and cook the polenta, stirring every 5 minutes or so (switch to a wooden spoon from this point forward), until the cornmeal is completely cooked and quite tender, 2½ to 3½ hours. It may seem too thin initially, but it will gradually thicken. As the polenta cooks, a skin will form on the bottom and sides of the pan (if you are not using a non-stick pan), which is proper and gives the polenta a slightly toasty flavor.
Fold in the cheese and butter until fully incorporated.
Corn Silk
Ingredients
2 cobs of corn worth of corn silk
4 cups (1 L) canola oil
½ tsp (3 g) kosher salt
¼ tsp (1 g) smoked paprika
Directions
Preheat the oven to 165F(75C)
discard any dark brown/black silk. Transfer the remaining silk to a parchment lined baking sheet and dehydrate in the oven overnight.
Fill a heavy-bottomed pot with oil and bring to 400°F (205°C) over medium heat and fry the silk for 15 seconds, or until crispy and golden.
Transfer to a paper towel to drain, and season with kosher salt and smoked paprika.
Chicken
Ingredients
2 whole corn husks
2 boneless chicken breasts, skin on
2 tbsp (30 ml) canola oil
1½ tsp (9 g) kosher salt
2 tsp (2 g) rosemary, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 cup (125 g) chanterelle mushrooms, cleaned and torn
Directions
Submerge the corn husks in cold water and soak for 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C).
In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken with 1 tbsp (15 ml) of the canola oil, 1 tsp (3 g) of kosher salt, 1 tsp (1 g) of rosemary, and 2 cloves of garlic.
Drain the corn husks and place in an ovenproof pan. Warm the husks over medium-high heat until they begin to smoke. immediately transfer to the bottom of the oven.
In a different ovenproof pan, warm the remaining canola oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers and runs easily across the pan. Add the chicken breasts, skin side down, and cook until the skin turns a medium golden brown. Flip the chicken breasts over and transfer to the oven. Be sure to turn on your hood fan as the smoke from the corn husks will billow from the oven and potentially irritate your eyes. roast for 15 to 20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked completely.
Transfer the chicken to a plate to rest. return the pan to the stovetop over medium-high heat and add the chanterelle mushrooms. Once they begin to sizzle in the rendered chicken fat and juices, add the remaining rosemary and garlic. Cook for another minute and remove the pan from heat.
Plating
Place half the polenta in the center of a plate and garnish with mushroom-rosemary-garlic mixture. Top with 1 chicken breast and finish with a nest of silk. Repeat with the remaining polenta and chicken breast.
If you have a recipe you would like to share with us for #whywastewednesday, please email christian.bearden100@gmail.com.
If you would like to make an impact on reducing food waste and hunger help us grow our food rescue operations: Donate
#WhyWasteFood Wednesday is a call to action to take those almost-in-the-trash food items and turn them into delicious meals!
At least 1.3 billion tons of food is lost or wasted every year around the world—in fields, during transport, in storage, at restaurants, and in our homes! If each individual made a call to action to stop their own food waste–the planet benefits, we have less hunger, and your own grocery bills will go down through the savings.
UN Food & Agriculture
Scraps: leftover meat or fish, leftover vegetables, leftover herb stems
Serves: 6
Prep: 40-45 minutes
Cook: 35-40 minutes
Vardagen: Baking Pan
Flotsam Filo Pie
Filo pie is known as börek in Turkish. It’s a quintessential dish you can eat almost every day, with there being countless varieties that offer different shapes and fillings that will satisfy every taste. This recipe is perfect to change and make the best use of leftover food and still enjoy a tasty, pleasant meal. Serve it with tomato cucumber salad in summer and with mixed salad greens in winter.
Ingredients
1 cup (150 g) leftover cooked protein such as fish, beef, lamb
1 cup (90 g) leftover vegetable bits (raw or cooked); can be a mixture, finely chopped
1 cup (200 g) leftover herb stems such as parsley, dill, cilantro, tarragon, chives, or chervil, finely chopped
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix all chopped ingredients, and depending on their original seasoning, add the salt and black pepper.
Combine the milk and vegetable oil in a small bowl.
Lay the filo sheets on the kitchen counter or a table and cover them with a slightly damp cloth to prevent them from drying and cracking.
Use 2 filo sheets per pie, brushing them with the milk and oil mixture. Spread 2 to 3 tbsp (30 to 45 ml) of filling on 1 long edge, about 1-inch (2½ cm) thick. Roll the filled portion of the sheet loosely to the other end, and then swirl it to create a snail shape. Repeat until all of the filling has been used.
Place them on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
In a small bowl, beat the egg yolk with a ½ tsp (2 ml) of water. Brush the mixture onto each pie and sprinkle them with the seeds.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, and enjoy!
Note
Nigella and sesame seeds pair with any filling, while caraway seeds pair well with a meat filling. Fennel seeds complement any fish or seafood filling.
If you have a recipe you would like to share with us for #whywastewednesday, please email christian.bearden100@gmail.com.
If you would like to make an impact on reducing food waste and hunger help us grow our food rescue operations: Donate
Celebrate Halloween with these spooktacular healthy stuffed peppers. They’re perfect for a Halloween buffet or a family dinner ahead of trick-or-treating.
Prep:25 mins
Cook:35 mins
Ingredients
4 small peppers (a mix of orange, red and yellow looks nice)
25g pine nuts
1 tbsp olive or rapeseed oil
1 red onion , chopped
2 fat garlic cloves , crushed
1 small aubergine , chopped into small pieces
200g pouch mixed grains (we used bulghur wheat and quinoa)
2 tbsp sundried tomato paste
zest of 1 lemon
bunch basil , chopped
Cooking Instructions
Cut the tops off the peppers (keeping the tops to one side) and remove the seeds and any white flesh from inside. Use a small sharp knife to carve spooky Halloween faces into the sides. Chop any offcuts into small pieces and set aside.
Toast the pine nuts in a dry pan for a few mins until golden, and set aside. Heat the oil in the pan, and heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Cook the onion in the oil for 8-10 mins until softened. Stir in the garlic, pepper offcuts and aubergine and cook for another 10 mins, until the veggies are soft. Add a splash of water if the pan looks dry. Season.
Squeeze the pouch of grains to break them up, then tip into the pan with the tomato paste. Stir for a minute or two to warm through, then remove from the heat and add the lemon zest, basil and pine nuts.
Fill each pepper with the grain mixture. Replace the lids, using cocktail sticks to secure them in place, and put the peppers in a deep roasting tin with the carved faces facing upwards. Cover with foil and bake for 35 mins, uncovered for the final 10. The peppers should be soft and the filling piping hot.
Why Meatless Monday?
Meatless Monday is of utmost importance, especially in the United States, as we consume much more animal products than the rest of the world.
The meat industry uses vast amounts of our finite fossil fuels and water and lots of grain to feed livestock, which is extremely inefficient. Why not use those resources to feed people more directly?
Meat production also is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, which has proven to correlate to the climate change crisis.
Some benefits of eating plant-based once a week include:
Save 133 gallons of water with each meatless meal!
Reduce your carbon footprint by 8 pounds each Meatless Monday you participate in
If you commit to participating in Meatless Monday every Monday, that is equivalent to skipping one serving of beef for a year, would save the same amount of emissions as driving 348 miles in a car.
***
If you have a recipe you would like to share with us for #meatlessmondays, please email christian.bearden100@gmail.com.
If you would like to make an impact on reducing food waste and hunger help us grow our food rescue operations: Donate
On September 28, 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration held the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. As Food Finders’ new Outreach and Advocacy intern, I have been asked to review the conference, which is the first of its kind in over 50 years. The goal of the conference is to end hunger and increase healthy eating and physical activity in order to reduce diet-related diseases in Americans by 2030. The Biden-Harris administration announced that they had received over $8 billion in private- and public-sector commitments. There are over 20 partners, including AARP, Chobani, Doordash, Google, and the University of California System. Each group pledges to create programs that address food-insecure vulnerable populations by improving access to nutrition programs in the United States.
The areas I will cover in the post are:
the five pillars identified in the National Strategy,
how the pillars relate to Food Finders’ mission, and
what is missing from the strategy.
[Photo 1: President Joe Biden speaks during the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health on Sept. 28, 2022, Link]
“Together, we can build a healthier future for all Americans” – President Joe Biden
The Five Pillars of the National Strategy
The National Strategy identified five hefty pillars to address hunger, nutrition, and health:
Improve food access and affordability.
Integrate nutrition and health.
Empower all consumers to make and have access to healthy choices.
Support physical activity for all.
Enhance nutrition and food security research.
Each pillar aims to address issues that plague our communities and promote healthier lifestyles for children and families through improving access to healthy foods, safe locations for physical activity, and nutrition and health education. The fifth pillar, which focuses on food security research, encompasses all the pillars. Increasing research in these areas would allow organizations to understand just how current and new programs and implementations are impacting the issue of food insecurity.
[Photo 2: Impacts of Food Insecurity from the White House National Strategy (page 6) Link]
Pillar 1 and Food Finders
While each pillar is important, Pillar 1 aligns the most with Food Finders’ current mission, which is to eliminate hunger and food waste and improve nutrition in food-insecure communities. The first pillar aims to reduce hunger and increase access to healthy meals for everyone first by “helping all Americans become economically secure” through the expansion of the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and the Earned Income Tax Credit and increasing the minimum wage (p. 8). Increasing the incomes of households is an incredibly important step toward increasing access to healthy foods. While this pillar focuses on the economic side of food insecurity, Food Finders works to get food directly to those who need it. Food Finders has several programs, such as the Food Rescue Program, Food4Kids, and community Food Hubs. The organization coordinates daily pick-ups of surplus food from grocers, schools, and restaurants through each program. It distributes the food directly to pantries, shelters, youth programs, and senior centers for either hot meals or grocery distribution. Overall, their goal is to keep food from going to waste and divert it to adults, families, and children who need it the most.
Panels on the pillars
The White House held ten panels on the National Strategy Pillars. Each pillar had two panels, and the agenda for each panel and its corresponding YouTube link can be found here. The first panel for Pillar 1 is “Nourishing Brighter Futures: Ensuring affordable food for all children and families.” This panel features several experts discussing the common barriers to food access, such as the stigma around food insecurity and inadequate wages. The discussion emphasizes the importance of nutrition education for children and improving children’s access to food at home for families and at school.
[Photo 3: Panel 1A Mike Curtin, Jr. moderates a conversation with Shavana Howard, Donna Martin, Mark Ramos, and Shannon Razsadin, YouTube]
What is Missing From the Strategy?: The Importance of Food Waste
Despite the enormous negative impact of food waste on the environment, the White House National Strategy dedicates only five bullet points to address food recovery. When uneaten food piles up at the landfill, the decomposition process releases huge amounts of methane gas, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. Wasting food also wastes freshwater, cropland, and fertilizer, not to mention the time and effort put into planting and harvesting the crops by farmers and agricultural workers.
[Photo 4: Environmental Impact of Food that is Produced But Never Eaten, ReFED]
The Strategy cites the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as leading resources for preventing food loss and waste. But it does not mention food surpluses due to overproduction or the efforts of local community organizations to allocate food to the right places. The document also ensures that the Department of the Treasury will “clarify the enhanced charitable deduction calculation to support businesses donating food”. Still, it does not mention the need to support farmers to harvest unprofitable crops due to cosmetic reasons (p. 14). The State of Pennsylvania has a program that does this. Later, in the Call to Action, the Administration asks to state, local, and territory governments to “enact food waste reduction and recovery policies such as providing tax incentives to food donors” (p. 16).
According to ReFED, 40% of all food is not eaten, while over 50 million Americans remain food insecure. To Food Finders, the issue and solution are obvious, and the organization combines both of these problems to promote a mission that prioritizes sustainability over consumerism and overproduction. In 2021 alone, Food Finders rescued 7.2 billion gallons of water, 8.6 million pounds of CO2 emissions, and provided 13.2 million meals to Southern Californians. This year the organization expects to surpass those numbers.
Although the National Strategy is far-reaching in its mission to increase access to healthy foods for Americans, it fails to adequately highlight the need to reduce food waste and its subsequent detrimental impacts on our environment. It also fails to highlight the connection between reducing food insecurity through reducing food waste. While governmental organizations are pushing for change, it would have been very powerful for the White House to give more attention to this aspect of the hunger issue. However, this slight oversight only fortifies Food Finders’ determination to increase the visibility of their efforts on a local and regional level and the efforts of other anti-food waste organizations in the United States.
What Can You Do To Help?
Food Finders works daily to change how food waste is distributed to eliminate hunger and food insecurity. If you would like more information, please visit our website, volunteer, or help our operations by making a donation.
CANstruction is going to be coming to a close soon! There’s still time, today and tomorrow, to head over to the Cove Hotel (200 E Willow St, Long Beach, CA 90806), and check out the three amazing pieces this year’s teams designed and put together. Centered around the theme “Yes She CAN!” the sculptures were made to honor pioneering women of the past and future.
The first sculpture you’re greeted with is made in honor of Amelia Earhart. Her trailblazing contributions to the field of aviation still have massive impacts today. This sculpture recreates the plane she used to perform many of her feats, the Lockheed Vega. The piece reminds the viewer of the many records she broke during her career, and the massive advancement of women in aviation. Tragically lost over the pacific ocean, in her attempt to fly around the world, her career was cut short. Her tremendous achievements are remembered even today, honored in many ways by men and women who she inspired and who look up to her. This team used some unique tools to achieve the amazing final product. A combination of wire and custom circular attachments at the end of cans allowed them to put together long poles of cans, necessary for their final stunning sculpture.
The second sculpture is a re-CANstruction of the Hearst Castle. The castle itself was designed by Julia Morgan, a Civil Engineering graduate of UC Berkeley. In 1919, she was commissioned by William Randolph Hearst to design what would come to be known as the Hearst Castle. This CANstruction pays homage to not only the amazing engineering and design she achieved, but also her long lasting influence and legacy. A women engineer and architect at the turn of the 20th century, who pioneered the way for women in Engineering and Architecture.
The final sculpture you’ll come across looks towards the future. It envisions the first female astronaut on the moon. The sculpture relied on the use of different platforms that allowed the designers to create unique shapes, wider in the middle and narrower down at the bottom. We were told the astronaut herself was particularly difficult to build, needing precise measurements and careful balance. The final completion is a beautiful look into the future, what could be and what we can hope and strive for.
These sculptures will be up through tomorrow at the Cove Hotel. Come down with cans of your own to vote on your favorite creation, and check back at the end of the week to find out if your favorite won. In benefit of food finders, the cans used for the pieces and the cans donated by patrons will all be collected by Food Finders and redistributed to our partner agencies after the 26th.
Most of us have probably eaten an orange for a quick snack and thrown away the peel without giving it much thought. But, this action contributes to a bigger problem… our growing landfill epidemic. Fun fact: A shocking 3.8 million tons of orange peels go to waste each year! That’s a huge amount of fruit peels making it to our landfills annually. So, how can we help? Try reusing your leftover citrus peels to make a fun snack! This #WhyWasteWednesday, check out our delicious candied orange peel recipe.
Unpeeled naval orange with peels left to be discarded.
For this recipe, you will need to first cut your orange peels strategically to make the most of the fruit scraps. Make about ¾ –1 inch cuts from the orange part of the peel to the green stem. You will need to continue doing so until the peel is completely used. While it might make things easier to use a vegetable peeler, you can also do so by just eye balling it!
Step 2: Boil water and add your peels.
Next, bring half a cup of water to a boil in a saucepan. Once the water is boiled, add in the orange peels you’ve just cut! You will want to cook them for about 1 minute. (Try not to go over this time or else they will be too hard.) After doing so, drain water used and run cold water over the peels. Quick Tip: Repeat this step with fresh water for maximum flavor!
Person boiling water over a stove.
Step 3: Stir sugar and simmer over medium heat.
Woman pouring sugar.
Now it’s time to add the sugar! Stir in the amount needed and wait for it to dissolve. For this step, you will need to put another half cup of water into the saucepan. Make sure to stir until there are no remaining traces of sugar left in the pan. Simmer peels for about 15 minutes or until tender.
Step 4: Transfer to baking sheet and leave to cool.
Candied orange peels left to dry
Make sure to line a pan with parchment paper to place your peels on. You will want to use tongs (or a fork will do the trick) to transfer your peels to parchment paper. After doing so, leave to dry for about 1 hour.
Step 5: Melt chocolate and drizzle on peels.
Melted chocolate in bowl.
Lastly, add the finishing touch…chocolate! You will need melted chocolate for this next portion. Put chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and warm them for about 30 seconds. Then, you can drizzle the chocolate on your orange peels! You will need to leave them on the parchment paper to set, which should take about 15 minutes in the refrigerator.
Hope you enjoyed this recipe! Be sure to let us know how your candied orange peels came out.
Meatless Monday, A Thoughtful Approach to Preventing Food Waste
Every other Monday we’ll be spotlighting a #meatlessmonday recipe. The Meatless Monday movement started several years ago to encourage people to reduce their meat consumption for their personal health and the health of our planet. We thought that starting each week by practicing Meatless Monday, the focus at home may also lead people to think more thoughtfully about the food they buy and eat–throwing less away which helps our planet even more!
Mexican Street Style Elote Corn
Digital Food Producer , Camille Lowder. “35 Vegetarian BBQ Recipes Perfect for Summer.” Delish, 17 May 2022.
For this #meatlessmonday we’re sharing a sweet and savory recipe. Elote corn is tangy and spicy, a popular antojito (little craving or street food) originating in Mexico. Often served on a stick, you can skip the skewer and put it right onto the grill. A perfect side to mix up any classic Fourth of July barbecue!
Ingredients
6 ears corn, shucked and cleaned
1/2 c. mayonnaise
Chili powder
1/3 c. Grated cotija cheese
Freshly chopped cilantro
Lime wedges, for serving
Directions
For the Grill
Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high. Grill corn, turning often, until slightly charred all over, about 10 minutes.
Brush corn with a layer of mayonnaise and sprinkle with chili powder, cotija, and cilantro. Serve warm with lime wedges.
For the Air Fryer
Cut corn to fit in air-fryer basket. (You may need to cut cobs in half.)
Brush corn all over with olive oil. Working in batches, add corn to air fryer and cook at 400° for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until tender.
Spread 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise onto each cob, then sprinkle with chili powder, Cotija, and cilantro.
Serve warm or at room temperature with lime wedges.
Yields: 4
Prep time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Nutrition (per serving): 240 calories, 5 g protein, 20 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber, 7 g sugar, 17 g fat, 4 g saturated fat, 240 mg sodium
Let’s Gear Up for “Summer To End Hunger” Food Donation Event
Springtime is the best season to think about cleaning out cabinets and drawers and we want to help you make room for summer with some ideas to feel better and make an impact!
Your Kitchen Cupboards Called to Say: “Help!”
Overstocked with Pandemic shutdown “hoarding,” our cupboards may be filled with too much food. Check the labels and start putting food items in a box that are not going to get used. Donating overstocked non-perishable foods are a wonderful way to organize and make an impact in your community.
Food Drives Help To Feed People With The Most Need
So much of our foods get thrown away when they can be donated and redistributed through organizations like Food Finders. See our Food List below
When You Donate Food To Avoid Food Waste and Help The Environment
Food banks are especially important in the food distribution process. They work with their local communities to ensure that everyone has access to healthful foods. They solicit, receive, store, and distribute fresh produce (when available) and pantry staples (like the foods we are listing below).
Food Banks and Pantries help people get connected to other essential benefits and serve as community hubs for volunteers who are serving their local communities.
How To Host A Food Drive
Any business, community center, Library, retailer, or city location can host a food drive. Food Finders will provide a storage bin, signage, and donation food lists. Food Finders will also arrange to pick up all the collected food items from you!
Plastic jars of unsweetened applesauce serve as a great quick snack with just enough fiber and vitamin C. Applesauce is also a smart choice because it preserves well on food bank shelves.
2. Canned Beans
Full of protein and fiber, canned beans offer a superb and nourishing way to fill an empty tummy. Try to look for low-sodium variations whenever available.
3. Canned Chicken
While canned chicken may seem like a simple choice, it is high in protein content and can be a perfect item for those on the go. Additionally, its versatility makes it a popular item at food banks.Try adding this non-perishable item into soups, casseroles, sandwiches, or crackers!
4. Canned Meat (SPAM and Ham)
Do you have some extra SPAM or canned ham? If so, make sure to drop it off at your local food donation site. It’s shelf-stable, does not require much preparation or equipment to eat, and provides a quick source of protein that keeps individuals feeling full for longer periods of time.
5. Canned Fish (Tuna and Salmon)
Canned fish has various vitamins, especially omega-3 fatty acids and protein. Many food banks are in need of canned tuna and salmon because it makes for such a convenient and easy meal.
6. Canned Vegetables
Residents in need are continuously requesting lively, nutrient-dense, and fiber-rich vegetables. Make sure to grab low-sodium options. Canned variations also last the longest on a food bank’s shelves. Food banks frequently hand out recipes that utilize the items they have in stock.
7. Crackers
Are an ideal snack or can be used as a base for canned proteins. They are also shelf-stable and portable, making them perfect for snacks and lunches. Whole-grain crackers are the best bet.
8. Cooking Oils (Olive and Canola)
Food banks heavily depend on these essential and costlier items to be donated. Canola and olive oils are the preeminent choices because of their monounsaturated fats and minor flavor.
9. Dried Herbs and Spices
It is hard to cook a flavorsome meal without herbs and spices. So, drop a few in your shopping cart to donate! We suggest sticking to the fundamentals: oregano, basil, salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, and cinnamon.
10. Fruit (Canned or Dried)
Fruit, whether dried, canned or in plastic cups can make superb snacks for young children and adults. Select those that are packaged in water or fruit juice instead of sugary syrups.
11. Nuts
With a handful of nuts, they deliver protein and nutrients instantaneously, which has made them perfect for snacks and lunches. Food banks have a difficult time obtaining them due to their higher price, so they heavily rely on donations. Go for unsalted varieties when possible.
12. Granola Bars
Food banks are continuously in need of fast and easy items that families can throw into lunches or eat on the go. Granola bars are the answer. Try to look for the ones that have fewer grams of sugar, made with oats, or other whole grains.
13. Instant Mashed Potatoes
Instant potatoes last a very long time and require minimal cooking tools and ingredients. They are also a beloved staple item in every age group, making an item that goes quickly off Food Banks’ shelves.
14. Grocery Meals in a Box
An entire meal that’s shelf-stable and in one package is the best way to nourish a hungry tummy. It is very popular with those who do not have a stocked kitchen or tools needed to prepare a meal. The best options are pasta, rice, and soup kits (particularly those that are lower in sodium and higher in fiber and protein).
15. Pasta
In Food banks, pasta is a staple item since it can be easily turned into a meal. Opt for whole-grain selections that offer more fiber and nutrition compared to white pasta.
16. Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is a high source of protein that can be eaten alone or combined with other food items. Since both children and adults like it, peanut butter is easily one of the most desired items at food banks.
17. Rice
This popular item is filling, versatile, easy to prepare, and store. Consider substituting white rice for brown rice instead because it is a healthier option with much more fiber to offer. Quinoa is another great alternative item to donate if feasible.
18. Shelf-stable and Powdered Milk
The best part of this item is that no refrigeration is required to keep it fresh, which makes it available to everyone. More importantly, milk delivers a much-needed source of calcium and protein (especially for a developing child).
19. Whole Grain Cereal
This is another popular item with all age groups. Whole-grain cereal makes for a healthy and quick breakfast or snack. Some selections are low in sugar and high in fiber that helps provide nutrients to good digestive bacteria, which then release substances that help lower levels of inflammation body-wide.
20. Honey
This is a sweet, viscous food substance that can be used as a natural sweetener. It is rich in antioxidants and propolis, which each promote burn and wound healing. It can also be used to help suppress coughing in children.
21. Soup, Stew, and Chili
These substances act as a warm and satisfying lunch or dinner. You can find these items in canned or packaged form and they are often sold as a complete meal with protein (meat) and veggies. If possible, attempt to find reduced-sodium alternatives.
What to skip when donating to your local food bank:
Junk food (chips, cookies, candy)
Packaged items with glass or cellophane (these can be easily broken in transit)
Items that require can openers or cooking equipment
Instead, try to donate pop-top cans–whether for veggies, meat or fruit
On April 1st, to kick off the month, we launched our annual Birthday Campaign to help grow our food rescue operations. When you think about all that has happened over 33 years—one woman starting to collect food in her garage to now where we are rescuing food with refrigerated trucks then sorting and packing donated food in a square food warehouse—we are certain to meet all of our goals and make an impact on reducing food waste and hunger here in Southern California!
Growth in our 33rd year is a priority. Now more than ever we are working together to make a strong social impact that will affect future generations to come!
Growing Our Food Operations
As you may know, our mission here at Food Finders is to eliminate hunger and food waste through food rescue. This operation is led by our wonderful team of passionate and dedicated volunteers, donors, partner agencies, community members–and of course, an incredible group at our office and warehouse in Los Alamitos. This month we will be highlighting a different aspect of our operations each week and spotlighting key team members who run the operation.
What is the overall goal?
Our goal is to raise $75,000 towards our food rescue operations. While I know this may seem like a large amount of money, it is going to a good cause. In 2021, for example, we had a goal to raise $50,000 and our grand total was $62,454–a huge success that allowed us to rescue 15, 917, 982 Pounds of Food!!
2022 Business Types for food donations
Our focus for this year is on our operations.
In 2022, the State of California SB- 1383 went into effect. SB 1383’s statute requires businesses in certain categories to begin the repurposing of not less than 20% of edible food that they currently dispose of be recovered for human consumption.
We have a new Food Acquisitions Team to meet the demand: Tray Turner and Mark Eden, who are out meeting with our current Food Donors while also updating our processes and adding in new businesses each day.
In the month of January, our Food Acquisitions department started off with some amazing numbers:
Food Finders Rescued – 1,238,000 Pounds of Food – that is over 1 Million Meals that were delivered by our non-profit partners in January 2022. And in addition to rescuing and repurposing food (that normally would have ended up in a landfill), we also helped planet Earth –672,410 Pounds of CO2 diverted as well as 564,675,000 Gallons of water saved!
Inside the Food Finders Warehouse
Warehouse Sorting Bins
The Food Finders Warehouse is a busy place. On any given day, there will be volunteers sorting and packing bags or boxes while trucks are pulling up in the back to deliver pallets of food. Without our invaluable warehouse team, though, we would not be able to rescue as much food as we have in the past 33 years that Food Finders has been operating.
Cesar Herrera, our Warehouse Manager, runs the show where he is constantly moving and shifting around staple food items to our food programs. These items significantly increase depending on the time of day, week or year. Last week, we had Fox News Channel 11 visit us to talk about our work and relationship with the Kaiser Permanente Food Donors.
With your birthday donations last year, we were able to continue to grow as COVID was winding down, and this year we are on track to grow our team, update and purchase more food delivery trucks, and rescue more food as the demand from businesses rises in 2022.
In the digital age it is so easy to support and advocate for Food Finders.
The largest Social Media Network, Facebook, has a great personal fundraising tool that gives each one of us the power to make change by enlisting our family and friends in the fight against hunger, food waste and the resulting global problems from both.
Start A Personal Fundraiser
Facebook Fundraising
If you invited 10 friends to donate $10 to your “Fight Hunger” fundraiser, you would be providing 11,000 meals to help fight food insecurity in your community.
Visit this link for step by step instructions on how to set up a birthday fundraiser on Facebook.
Mobile Fundraising
For those of you who do not have a Facebook page, use your Mobile Phone!
Here is a link to the Food Finders Crowdfunding Page. The process is the same–set up your personal page and ask 10 friends to make a $10 (or more) donation to help us continue to rescue food and help to feed the communities in our neighborhood.
Celebrate Our 33 Years
Stay tuned during the entire month of April to learn about each part of our Food Rescue Operations. Start your fundraiser, or reach out to us to volunteer! Everything we do makes an impact.
Nicole Swayne is a Digital Marketing Intern at Food Finders. She is a student at Cal State Long Beach.
Food Finders is a nonprofit 501c3 food rescue organization with a mission to rescue food, reduce hunger, and improve nutrition in the communities we serve.
Tax ID# 33-0412749
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