Americans represent five percent of the world’s population but generate thirty percent of the world’s trash.  The individual American throws away about 197 pounds of food a year.  Collectively, that means over 100 billion pounds of trash each year or roughly enough food to end hunger in 1.7 billion people.
 
In American Wasteland Jonathan Bloom sheds light on the food waste epidemic.  Identifying sources of waste and reexamining food-sustainability in today’s culture, Bloom spreads the blame across all wasters—farmers, foodies, and kindergarteners alike.
 
But this book is much more than an exposé, it’s an action plan.  Bloom offers practical everyday solutions that we can adopt immediately.  He provides helpful tips to reduce waste in your home by pinpointing common household blunders—everything from preventing freezer burn to resisting the urge to maintain a full fridge—and even recommends a smartphone App that will answer the eternal question “is this still good?”  Bloom’s hints on shopping strategically include:

• Make a list and stick to it—avoid buying things you don’t need just because they’re on display.

• Shop for produce last—it will lose freshness that compromises its shelf life while you shop.

•  Eat before you shop—if you’re not hungry, you’ll fall victim to fewer impulse buys.

•  Avoid the temptation of the 2 for 1 deal—if you need one, buy one.

•  Beware of bulk/superstores—do you really need a 3 pound tub of sour cream or just a pint?

• Be realistic about your eating habits—how many nights do you plan to eat home during the following week, plan for it.

Whether you’re a restaurateur or a homebody ready to cut wasteful habits, American Wasteland is the go-to guide for all things garbage.  After reading this book, you won’t mindlessly toss out that milk one day after expiration.  Waste not, want not isn’t just an idiom, it should be a necessary change in lifestyle for all of us.
 
JONATHAN BLOOM is a freelance journalist and food waste expert who writes the blog Wasted Food.  An accomplished eater, he has also worked at a supermarket produce department, a McDonalds, a small farm, a food recovery group, and a catering company, giving him a wide view of food waste.  Covering both serious and quirky topics related to food and the environment, his work has appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Newsweek, and Variety, and he has and has been interviewed on national network television. 

A Boston native, he lives with his wife and son in Durham, North Carolina.  His blog can be found at www.wastedfood.com.