Affluent modern societies waste shocking amounts of food. https://www.foodwastemovie.com/ We cannot afford to abuse resources at such scale during this age of climate change. Unfortunately, food waste is particularly rampant during the holiday season. Beyond not wasting pumpkins this Halloween, you can save food that sellers are discounting before imminent expiry or due to cosmetic flaws.
Groceries in store: HEB tends to mark down pre-cut and packaged fruits and vegetables located in the cold cases surrounding the produce aisles. Produce bags marked “Inner Beauties” are sometimes also marked half off within the aisles. Randalls often has a wide variety of food marked half off, including: milk, yogurt, meat, bread, deli food and even pet food. Natural Grocers frequently has a specific refrigerated area with discounted food such as prepared meals and dairy, as well as specifically marked bread products. Upon request, one can sometimes obtain free “compost” organic produce for animal feed.
Grocery delivery: Imperfect Foods, now joined with Misfits Market, offers “imperfect” food for delivery. That can mean scarred or surplus produce, or fish cuts that do not meet specific restaurant dimensions. Items requiring refrigeration are enclosed in an insulated bag with frozen gel packs. One should be aware when ordering, however, that not all offerings are “imperfect,” so one has to search the descriptions while shopping online.
Desserts et cetera: Zucchini Kill sometimes sells “Crack Cake” from leftover cake trimmings and extra frosting in various flavors. Quack’s has carried a similar item. Bakeries sometimes have a basket with day-old goods or discount items after a certain hour. Apps like “Too Good To Go” offer options from local cafes and restaurants. Direct produce sellers sometimes sell “seconds” if you ask. It is worth keeping an eye out and inquiring wherever you shop so that you can turn your meals into good deeds for the climate. You might even be able to prevent food waste in your own yard!
*As always, this blog is not an endorsement. It is, rather, intended to inform fellow neighbors about local options based on one family’s experience living in North Loop for decades.
North Loop Neighborhood Association 