Week 16- Final Project (CRE)

"America throws away nearly half of it's food." -Jonathan Bloom.

In interviewing an employee at a Walmart, I've received a good amount of information from her. I found out that the Deli and Bakery both contribute to food waste, but also try to prevent it. The Deli packages away "time expired" food. The food then gets packaged into the cooler, and then gets put on the floor to sell the very next day. In doing so, this helps the EBT customers; customers that are not able to purchase the "hot" food because they are covered under EBT. However, the packaged food can be available for other customers if they choose to purchase the food as well. The deli also marks down food, so that so much does not go to waste. This can help them save money as well. According to Kate Zeratsky, a family of four wastes $1500 dollars worth of food. So when food gets wasted, the store tries to prevent there from being so much gone to waste; even though more than partial of it gets thrown. On the other hand, the bakery sends out donations. They donate bread, and most of the food that gets prepared in the bakery that does not end up getting used or eaten. When asked if there is ever a moment where she as an employee thinks about the amount of food wasted, has impacted her in a way, she responded yes. She thinks about how the food can go to shelters or homeless people, because she knows from her experience there, Walmart wastes a lot. She felt guilty, because many children could be eating the food, but also it is food she can take home as well. But instead gets thrown away. 

I have yet to mention, that when interviewing with an employee that worked as a server at a restaurant, she mentioned that they never let the food sit for long. The food there never got picked up in a timely never, so they would take it out and throw it away in the dumpster. Aside from Walmart, the restaurant company did not want to "risk" being taken to court. The food at the company was always kept in the freezer and only taken out when an order has been placed. I suggested that, it might be beneficial to go out at the end of the day or shift to bring the food to the homeless. I always suggested if that would not have worked for them, to invite the public/homeless to stop by the restaurant so that any food that would've been thrown away could go to people or families in need of a meal that day.

I've learned so much information after taking this class. I've learned about the food waste problem America has and how to contribute to preventing more problems. I've learned to instead buy the ugly fruits and vegetables at stores, so that I'll eat them faster. Jonathan Bloom taught me to take care of the landfills and reduce plastic waste, but also to buy less food at the store and watch out for my portions I intake. I've learned to help the homeless out more often, and if at any chance I get, share the information with others, so that others are also aware. I've also learned from Critical 101, to pay close attention to statistics, because information can be omitted. But I've in good terms, learned a great deal about the landfills, and about people when it comes to food.

Cited Sources:

“Mayo Clinic Minute: 3 Tips to Reduce Food Waste.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical     Education and Research, newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-minute-3-tips-to-   reduce-food-waste/.

Odle, Teresa G. "Food Waste." The Gale Encyclopedia of Nutrition and Food Labels, edited by Jacqueline L. Longe, Gale, 2017, pp. 252-255. Gale Virtual Reference Library, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX3645900085/GVRL?u=mcc_glendale&sid=GVRL&xid=b93ddbb8. Accessed 5 May 2019.

Entry #10 Final Blog Reflection

The time has come to an end; for writing blogs has been bittersweet. I really enjoyed blogging, but I wish I was able to have written more freely with no limits or topics in general to really write about. However, I did try my best to keep my posts consistent and it really all depends if you're interested in truly writing or not. The challenges of blogging I feel, is making sure to always keep readers entertained. I also found it challeging to make my posts relate to people. But if I learned anything from my knowledge to become a writer, it's to write from what you know. I also learned in class, that it takes more time to truly write something that could potentially be great; writing that could be expanded into a career or side job in blogging. For instance, blogging in general, people pay others to write blogs; depending if interesting or to engage readers and even to promote. I learned, I prefer blogging than writing essays. It made me realize I enjoy the opportunity to write about the topics I want to write about as well; the ideas I'm more intrigued about. On the other hand, I honestly don't think blogging was useful, because it was an extra assignment added onto the other assignments due in class.  I feel too, it didn't relate to all of our essays (besides one), but it is a good practice to expand more writing skills. I also don't think it would've been useful for other classes too, because the writing part of it and blogging isnt really needed in other courses that need to completed. Once again, I did enjoy the experience and it made me realize I really do like writing.


On that note though, I'm signing off, and I'll leave you with this one question. What're some of your thoughts as reflecting on blogging?

Entry #9 FILM And Holidays

There are so many movies I’m intrigued to watch, this Christmas. I’d like to see them all when each film comes out. But also the Christmas movies that play on T.V. at this time and during December. However, it’s strange to think that people just skip over Thanksgiving; even though they celebrate it. I’m starting to get into the holiday spirit but it’s hard when Halloween goes by so quick, then Thanksgiving doesn’t get noticed, and already it’s Presents time. The year feels like it’s being rushed every time. But this year, I’m hoping to go Ice Skating or to Glendale Glitters.

Leaving my post at that; what do you do around the holidays?

Entry #8 OH The Joys of Buying

Oh The Joys of Buying a New/Used Car is a challenge. There are a few options that could go right or could go wrong. For the most important tip I learned is; BRING SOMEONE THAT KNOWS THEIR STUFF! Bring a person that knows about cars, that has experience with cars, a good negotiator. Someone skilled in this field of "expertise". Otherwise, buying a car becomes a hassle, and not a fun thing.

I'm certain everyone goes through this in their life: whether they have to take a bike, carpool, take a bus; eventually people save up to get a car, and eventually in time buy a car. I have recently, bought 3 cars so far. THREE cars, and I'm at the age 22. The previous cars I've bought in the past were no good and with not so excellent sales people. I should have known the tricks, and bargains, and selling/ buying techniques from my first car. But needless to say, I've learned a lot from the experiences though, and obtained good advice for what is to come ahead in the future. So take note if this hasn't happened to you and you haven't bought a car yet, so you could be prepared. On another note, if this has/ hasn't happened to you(had positive experience) please share experiences.

Entry #7 Topics in Food Quest

I found a video on the internet; specifically a video on You-Tube that talks about Food Industry. It is a long video, but it has good insight on why companies have ruined the meaning of food and the reason there is a food problem to begin with. I feel like this is good information to share because it lets people know how the problem really did start, and it'll educate people more about the Food Industry. Real people also get to talk about their experience, and their feelings on food. The video also talks about the reason for Processed Foods or "Convenient" food as well. It goes back from years long ago to today's time. I feel this is a document everyone needs to watch and it's relevant, because everything talked about in English 101 about the Food Industry, this video provides even more detailed information. Now with that being said, this video if watched, will explain the reason I also posted it to my blog.

If you have time, Click the play button.

Entry #6 Movie Night AND Halloween

Witches, Ghosts, Goblins, and Scary Tales, the joys of October. I love when it is this time of month because stores start to have many Halloween theme decorations and costumes. I also admire the neighbors that decorate their lawns and get into the holiday spirit. Oh, and the love I have, for the Fall colors!

On the other hand, the weather is a little bit nicer because there are some days where it's windy out, instead of the excruciating heat, beaming on my skin. This weekend I get to attend, watching GooseBumps and Halloween. Growing up, I loved hearing stories from the GooseBumps, books; especially when my librarian teacher would read them to the class for October. She would read them in a spooky like tone, and have sound effects, towards the thrilling parts. So I'm glad they're starting to make the movies.

This month is also my Anniversary, so I'm happy to be celebrating both my anniversary and Halloween at the same time. My wife and I plan to go to a Pumpkin Patch, have dinner, and give candy out to the children that are Trick or Treating; while watching Scary movies. We also decorated the house in Danger/Crime tape, Skeletons, and Trick or Treat signs, and more.

I honestly, love Halloween and for next year I'm hoping to go to haunted houses and dress up for Halloween parities. But for the meantime, it's Michael Myers movie marathon, baking brownies, and cookies, while serving candy type of Thirty-First!

Entry #5 Fresh

Food for thought. When I think about the food I ingest it makes my stomach cringe. I feel terrible for the animals, and not being able to substitute what I eat with another type of protein, saddens me. I could become Vegan, but as a Diabetic, I need a source of protein and meats. I'm not well educated on the different types of meat, but if there's anything besides pig, chicken, or cow meat I can eat, I would like to.

I feel that animals don't deserve to be treated the way they do; even if it's the circle of life. Imagine it being the other way around, and all the animals ate humans instead. People were tossed around and abused ready for the animals to intake our organs and the flesh on our body.

I felt like the audience of the film was anyone that intakes food or anyone taking in educational purposes or just wanting to know something about Food Industries. But also the film is for anyone interested in where their food might come from. The tone for this film was informational. The movie gave a lot of insight on how people take care of their farm animals, but also how they feed humans; because that is basically what they're doing. Killing the animals to make pork or chicken, etc and making some money off food for us to survive. Aside from this, the film made me think of all the suffering animals, and what they might be feeling or going through. I also thought about all the food I intake and how it's scary to one day eat the wrong food, then it's a possibility for one to become sick. It's just sad, but this movie was important to watch.

I think that Americans should have the right to know what we're eating; as it pertains to us and could possibly be cooked wrong one day; not to mention our health. We could also take in considerations that not all people cook food correctly, or that what we eat could be harmful. It's also just good to know about preparation, how the food is cooked, and where it might come from.

We as Americans should care. There are people that die from getting sick from eating bad food. That can be prevented if more people knew about the situation and go passed just  thinking about the money, and take better care of the food we eat. 

Imagine making more money that way instead of people not wanting to eat a certain food because they're worried its not good and something like food poisoning or Ebola will take effect. Hence, anywhere you go to eat, ask around about their food.