Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Tip: Bottom of the Bag

More than 40 percent of all food produced in America is not eaten.  That is about 29 million tons of food waste each year. Several years ago, during my first visit to Africa, I saw a small naked child, picking through a lot full of trash, looking for food.  I cried myself to sleep that night, worrying about that child.  Every since then, I try hard not waste anything. 

I don't throw away the bottom of the bag crushed tortillas chips, crackers, or cereal.  I put them in resealable plastic bags and freeze them.  Using them as a casserole topper or as a coating,  like the recipe I will be posting on Friday, "Baked Tortilla Chip Chicken Strips".

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20 comments:

  1. RosemaryOctober 26, 2010 at 2:09 AM

    So agree with your sentiment , way too much food wasted. Try so hard not to do that.. love the tips..looking forward to your Friday recipe.

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  2. MyaOctober 26, 2010 at 2:17 AM

    My kids usually finished a bag of whatever, crumbs and all. However, if I had the potato chip bag or chesse cracker box last I would save them - it beats crushing whole potato chips and crackers for toppers. I had not thought about using the crumbs of tortilla and cereals - thank you.

    We are lucky aren't we? We think of crumbs as garbage and at best toppers, while many others would be thankful to have it for food.

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  3. DianeOctober 26, 2010 at 2:36 AM

    What a great idea. I have to say I never throw the bits away, I eat them down to the last crumb even if it makes me cough. No more coughing, I will be using the freezer in future. Diane

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  4. BoOctober 26, 2010 at 3:38 AM

    It is terrible how much food we waste!

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  5. Jill from Killeny GlenOctober 26, 2010 at 3:56 AM

    40% wasted!! OH, I believe that! IT IS AWFUL!! What a great idea to save those crumbs in the freezer...I am going to try that.

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  6. Haden NewsOctober 26, 2010 at 4:21 AM

    I know I waste way too much food....I WILL get better!! Great tip with the chips!!

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  7. Andrea the Kitchen WitchOctober 26, 2010 at 5:15 AM

    I need a bigger freezer! Great tip to freeze the crumbs - never thought of that. I freeze my homemade bread ends and any pieces of loaves that don't get eaten for bread crumbs but the tortilla chips, great idea! Mmm tortilla soup! Thanks for the tips :)

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  8. UnknownOctober 26, 2010 at 5:17 AM

    Great idea on saving those that most consider just crumbs! I'm going to make a better effort at doing the same thing!

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  9. scrambledhenfruitOctober 26, 2010 at 8:46 AM

    That's a great reminder for us all. :)

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  10. UnknownOctober 26, 2010 at 10:39 AM

    Thanks Rosemary!

    Mya, it is hard to keep food around when you have kids in the house! It always amazes me the amount they eat.

    Diane, I hope that helps with the coughing! You will have to let me know. lol

    Bo, I know it's crazy!

    Jill, I was shocked when I saw the number, but them I thought of all of the food that is toss at buffets and it made sense.

    Haden News, we all waste too much food.

    Andrea the Kitchen Witch, I need a bigger one too!

    Thanks Jenn!

    Scrambled Hen Fruit, I know I need reminders! Life gets so busy!

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  11. hgOctober 26, 2010 at 10:47 AM

    Great idea! And I hate to admit I'm one of those people that throws out food. A lot of food.

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  12. PamOctober 26, 2010 at 2:15 PM

    I so agree with food waste. Good tip, Linda! We are having horrible high winds here today and for the next couple of days, t-storms, tornado warnings; many trees down, power lines, etc. Our power went out at 7:00 this morning and just came back on at 5:00. What a day and hope yours was much better!

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  13. ChrisOctober 26, 2010 at 2:27 PM

    We have done so much better this year in utilizing leftovers but we can still do better. Good tip.

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  14. UnknownOctober 26, 2010 at 2:30 PM

    Hydrant girl, we all do that sometimes.

    Pam, I sure don't miss those Midwestern storms! We have lot of high wind all year long but no tornados in our area. You and Bill be safe!

    Chris, maybe we should do some posts on what to do with leftovers. I bet you have some great ideas!

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  15. CherylOctober 26, 2010 at 8:57 PM

    I just love this website! One of my all time favorite cookbook is one titled Mild to Wild Mexican cookbook. Ever heard of that one before? ;)

    One of my favorite recipes in it is the Crunchy Cheese chicken made with crunched up cheeze it crackers. The tortilla one sounds similar.

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  16. RitaOctober 27, 2010 at 11:33 AM

    You are so right! I was raised not throw food away and I tried to pass this on to my family.

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  17. kitchen flavoursOctober 27, 2010 at 3:56 PM

    Many of us take food for granted, especially when it is within easy reach whenever we want! The first step to avoid wastage is not to overstock on food. This will help to eliminate wastage and also easier on the budget!

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  18. Chef BeeOctober 28, 2010 at 6:53 PM

    Great tip and very thoughtful. Whenever I go to the pantry and think "there's nothing to eat" I remember that many people really don't have anything to eat. Thanks for the reminder.

    Plan B

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  19. UnknownOctober 28, 2010 at 11:03 PM

    Cheryl, you are a sweetheart! No, Crunchy Cheese Chicken is different from Baked Tortilla Chicken Strips.

    Rita, it sounds like you came from a great family!

    Kitchen Flavours, you are so right! Great tip!

    Thanks, Chef Bee!

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  20. OtehliaNovember 1, 2010 at 7:03 PM

    That is so true! I heard somewhere that if people saved the money from all the food they wasted, they could afford to eat organic. I love the idea of crunchy toppings to reduce waste. Thanks for the idea.

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