Greener Eateries?

As we are the victims of terribly slow internet service (but, free, thanks Marriott!), I have been reading more on-line than surfing.  Though any surfing would likely be to real estate sites, Craiglist, or Freecycle.  I happened upon this article yesterday and it reminded me of our "European menu" days and how I miss them.

Before I delve too deeply into that, I should probably indicate that I think the above idea is fabulous.  College was not that long ago, and I remember all too well the overflowing trays of uneaten food.  I have to say, for the most part, my friends and I were probably not guilty of leaving too much.  Given we had little 'pocket money' if you will, we were not likely to leave Sunday brunch anything less than completely sated. 

We did, however, go to school with folks who had a bit more.  It was rumored some had so much that they could afford to throw away change.  Yes, those pesky coins that took up too much space?  Just throw them in the trash! 

With regards to the tray issue, however, one article indicated that food waste at one school had decreased by 79%.  79% less food going into landfills (since, let's face it, not all schools compost and not all of the waste could be composted)!  Which made me think that the ubiquitous tray exists in other areas of our lives.

How many of us love the all-you-can-eat bars?  I know Caitlin hankers for King Crab legs at the beach each year.  Despite my instincts to say no, as I am sure those crabs will be non-existent if this keeps up, we let her have one night of the kids all-you-can-eat.  However, the amount she puts away is probably minimal at best and not necessarily worthy of the 'all you can eat' price tag.

Yet, we notice many folks succumb to the lure of the heightened value of the meal given the ever-shrinking amount of anything that a dollar seems to buy.  I used to think it was a wonderful way to save a buck, until one night while eating at a buffet that offered all you can eat for a remarkably low price.

I watched folks eat and go back to the buffet again and again.  I took a long look at the food and wondered about the quality.  Was it organically grown? Were the meats chock full of hormones and preservatives?  Most importantly, why is there the need (in such a wealthy country) to have places that exist solely to make you feel guilty if you don't clean your plate several times over?

It is something I have thought about many times since.  Especially in these times of economic strife, one could see where a low price would be good.  But is it?  Or is much of the food wasted?  Would it not be better to offer smaller, healthier meals that didn't send one's blood sugar into a tailspin? 

So when I happen upon articles such as these, I think there might be hope.