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Reflecting on Food Waste After a Natural Disaster

Returning home after a long absence, I found my kitchen in a state of disarray due to the aftermath of the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles. Following ten days of mandatory evacuation and two additional weeks spent away on vacation, I was confronted with the reality of my refrigerator and freezer. A lingering smell of burning plastics and ash filled the air, and my home was cluttered with debris from the fallout.

It struck me as unusual that most people do not frequently clear their fridges or freezers. While tossing out the occasional freezer-burned item is common, it’s rare for someone to completely empty their cold storage. My own freezer had become a crowded sanctuary of food, so much so that I often struggled to close it. Ironically, I had declared that my new year’s resolution was to finally work through the overabundance of food I had collected over time. Now, the circumstances had forced the resolution upon me, leading to a mix of reflective feelings.

Amidst the devastation, I felt a deep sense of gratitude. Aside from some damaged plants, the only major casualty was the food that spoiled in my absence. However, as I sorted through the remnants of what once filled my freezer, I came to an important realization about my shopping habits. I tend to hoard items, especially those that are hard to find or hold sentimental value, which often leads to waste.

For instance, delicious sour Thai sausages that required a lengthy trip across the city ended up discarded, as did passionfruit juice collected from my mother’s garden because I couldn’t decide how to use it. Even costly ribeye steaks, meant for special occasions, were wasted when I switched my dinner plans. This reflection on my food stockpiling revealed a need for more mindfulness in both my grocery shopping and my food utilization.

The tendency to accumulate food may be rooted in personal history—perhaps the anxieties of childhood in an immigrant household, where food scarcity was a genuine concern. It has become clear to me that this approach to food doesn’t promote a healthy relationship with what I consume. I often hold onto premium items such as truffle-infused mustard or artisan jams, fearing they would only be enjoyed once or twice rather than embracing their potential for daily enjoyment.

As I begin the process of replenishing my fridge and freezer, I’m reassessing my shopping habits. I’m now contemplating not just when I’ll use an ingredient but also how. Preparing meals “based on vibes” has resulted in an assortment of items that are often forgotten. I want to adopt a more purposeful strategy, ensuring that my purchases align with a clear intention and that I don’t overfill my kitchen with unnecessary goods. It’s frustrating to shuffle through uneven piles of items when searching for something specific, and the waste associated with forgotten items is unsustainable.

For those who may resonate with my experiences, let this be an encouragement: use your ingredients! Don’t save them for rare occasions. Make meals that utilize those special spices or indulging in baked treats from frozen dough. Enjoying what you have—even if it’s just for a moment—holds more value than letting it go to waste. Embracing a philosophy of utility and joy in our food choices can transform how we view our meals and minimize waste.

Source
www.eater.com