I recently came across Utah State’s digital exhibit on food waste, while researching topics for the month. I thought I’d share some of the images and unique facts gained from perusing the exhibit.
- Late 1800’s – early 1900’s: Industrialization encouraged the concept of “factory to table” which started families wasting food and brought forth canning as a form of food waste prevention.
- World War I: Farms were essential in providing food, and food conservation was viewed patriotic. Encouraged people to eat more fresh fruits/vegetables so preservable meals shipped.
- Great Depression: Encouraged people to repurpose items for additional meals, while also observed vast amount of crop wasting away in the fields.
- World War II: Families encouraged to save cooking grease and fats for they make great ammunition (Minnie Mouse and Pluto cartoon).
- Post WWII: Initial observation of crop overproduction due to the start of chemical fertilizer. The creation of garbage disposal aides in vast food waste for not really seeing what you’ve tossed.
- Fast forward to now: We have 40% food wasted, about 40 million people without food, and households generating the most food waste.
- Images sourced from http://exhibits.lib.usu.edu/exhibits/show/foodwaste and https://pingree.house.gov/foodwaste/
Are you like me – wondering when we will get back to conserving our food rather than wasting it?
PS – If you hadn’t seen I’m offering a food waste workshop on October 17. Read more about it and register via EventBrite.
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