My Wednesday Pantry -Too Good to Go

      Happy Winter Solstice. It's the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, and it seems we're all in a deep freeze! If you can stay put, do, kind of weather. It's eat for comfort weather. No recipes to share today, but a little discussion on options to avoid food waste. 

      We don't have any To Good to Go or Waste Not boxes from grocery stores around here, but I think they're fabulous ideas. Perfectly good food sold at steep discounts rather than thrown. Where I shop, there's rarely clearance items unless post holiday candy or baked goods, so assume things are going to food shelves. Either that or the buyers are just that good at their jobs and don't over stock.  I like watching the videos of what people find in these boxes or bags. The Too Good to Go are usually restaurant items, end of day or meal shift. The Waste Not tend to be a lot of produce. Vix used whatever comes in their Waste Not to cook their meals, and they always sound delicious. 

     I've seen some stinkers, like a whole bag from a sandwich shop that is just leftover rolls or bagels. I like bread as much as the next person, but even if I'm only spending a couple dollars, I at least want a premade sandwich, maybe a pasta or green salad side. I've seen some huge wins, like fish and chips meals that would feed four people for under £3. Even this American knows that's a steal. But, you get whatever was abundant that particular day. 

To see if there's something near you, he's a few links. 

Too Good To Go  These seem like they are popping up in cities in multiple countries. 

Waste Not boxes I only saw UK LIDL but if you're aware of others, share the link. 

     I think this concept can be applied in our own homes to an extent. How often do we say, I've got nothing to cook for dinner? A peruse of shelves and freezer space likely has huge amounts of "stuff" that with creativity, can be made into something tasty.  Last night we used up soft apples to cook to go with a pork loin, and some for apple muffins this morning. Any assorted fresh ( or losing freshness) or frozen veg roasted, is delicious with pasta or rice. Who doesn't have one or the other? I've become a fan of dried beans, cooking up, but freezing a set aside or two in the freezer. They get lost, but once found are great for soups, pasta or rice again, in burritos, as a hummus for veggies or spread on bread for a sandwich. All the tidbits of leftover meal's can act a lot like Too Good to Go. I just need to remember to freeze the small portions and label them. Suddenly, out of nowhere comes a meal for several people. 

     I tend to apply my own Too Good to Go, Waste Not,  principles before a holiday, trying to eat down space for the meal items for the big events. We use up food in interesting combinations, most often with success. Then, after the holiday, I'm so full of leftovers most often, I need to do again. I'm trying to do better this year, but know I've over bought. I also grabbed some extras for Trivia night, but the pending blizzard and bitter cold was reason to cancel until January. My goals is no further grocery runs until my son comes on the 4th, milk, bread, and produce the exceptions. Have you ever used either type of food waste program? How did it fare for you? Were you happy with contents, or disappointed? I'll be curious to try if I'm ever in a city and neighborhood with options.