What happens to all the leftover food?

[Laurie Sanantone]

When we eat from a menu del día, it’s impossible to eat all the soup we are served, or even the main course meats. What happens to the food we can’t eat? I try to eat as much as I can, but the servings are often enormous, and I hate to see food wasted.

Buen camino everyone!

 

[C clearly]

I expect that it goes in the garbage - same as would happen in a restaurant at home. If it has been served to one customer, they can't very well give the leftovers to the next! (or to charity)

 

[Jamieb]

When we eat from a menu del día, it’s impossible to eat all the soup we are served, or even the main course meats. What happens to the food we can’t eat? I try to eat as much as I can, but the servings are often enormous, and I hate to see food wasted.

Buen camino everyone!

I’ve been doing 1/2 menus - just ask for it. You chose either the 1st or 2nd course, wine or water and desert. Cost has been from 6-9€ instead of the usual 10-15€.

 

[KinkyOne]

My first course is usually mixed salad to get some veggies into me because it's easier to carry fruits in the backpack than lettuce for example
Second course always contains meat but usually I don't eat it all. At least half of the steak goes into next day sandwich. I just have to buy bread and a tomato. No leftovers and two meals for one price

 

[Albertagirl]

I expect that it goes in the garbage - same as would happen in a restaurant at home. If it has been served to one customer, they can't very well give the leftovers to the next! (or to charity)

I read somewhere on this forum of a pilgrim seeing quantities of food waste put out for the black pigs, which are the source of the expensive jamon iberico, to eat. I hope that I read this wrong or the pilgrim saw this wrong, because it is a very dangerous practice which may bring disease into the pigs, besides being a fraud which pretends that the pigs are getting the special feed which provide the unique flavour of this ham.

 

[KinkyOne]

I read somewhere on this forum of a pilgrim seeing quantities of food waste put out for the black pigs, which are the source of the expensive jamon iberico, to eat. I hope that I read this wrong or the pilgrim saw this wrong, because it is a very dangerous practice which may bring disease into the pigs, besides being a fraud which pretends that the pigs are getting the special feed which provide the unique flavour of this ham.

It might be true. I remember one day on Levante as I was approaching a huge pig farm there were lots of celophane wraps all around. Closer I got to the farm there were more of them. When I reached the open air farm and those black pigs I realized what those wraps actually were - from the sandwiches that are usually sold on petrol stations, supermercados and vending machines. I guess the owner got them for free after the expiry date...

 

[Turga]

No problem here; my plate is always licked clean

 

[Pelegrin]

I read somewhere on this forum of a pilgrim seeing quantities of food waste put out for the black pigs, which are the source of the expensive jamon iberico, to eat. I hope that I read this wrong or the pilgrim saw this wrong, because it is a very dangerous practice which may bring disease into the pigs, besides being a fraud which pretends that the pigs are getting the special feed which provide the unique flavour of this ham.

Well, I think that the OP refers to menus del dia in Galicia where the custom is to put more food than the customer can eat, but in Galicia there isn't cerdo iberico.The pigs are generally white.

 

[domigee]

When we eat from a menu del día, it’s impossible to eat all the soup we are served, or even the main course meats. What happens to the food we can’t eat? I try to eat as much as I can, but the servings are often enormous, and I hate to see food wasted.

Buen camino everyone!

Very often after the starter, I cannot finish the main course. Most times, (without requesting it!), the restaurant has offered to wrap it up for me to take away. Not the soup, though

 

[MinaKamina]

Once you have ordered a meal and it has been served, it is yours.
The restaurant does not see it as waste if you do not eat it, that waste is yours.
Waste to a restaurant is food that they purchased but did not manage to sell.
Your meal has been sold
So what happens to the food that you ordered but do not eat, is entirely up to you.

If you go to the store and buy, say, three shirts, pay for all three of them and leave one in the store on departure and never come back for it - most people would call this nuts, but they see no problem with doing the same when ordering food.

This is really odd, considering.

If you hate to see your food wasted, bring a small plastic container and take it with you. Or ask for smaller portions, or only half a menu. You have 100% influence on the food that you choose to waste, or not.

 

[Deleted member 73526]

If you go to the store and buy, say, three shirts, pay for all three of them and leave one in the store on departure and never come back for it - most people would call this nuts, but they see no problem with doing the same when ordering food.

Actually, what people do with clothing is very similar to ordering a banquet, taking a few bites, and leaving the rest on the plate. People might not leave a shirt in the shop, but they throw it away after one season, even though it could last for years. This has enormous environmental impact. Fashion accounts for 10% of the carbon footprint of the world. Clothes pollute rivers where they're made and landfills where they're thrown away.

 

[Elle Bieling]

I’ve been doing 1/2 menus - just ask for it. You chose either the 1st or 2nd course, wine or water and desert. Cost has been from 6-9€ instead of the usual 10-15€.

I love this suggestion! I didn't know I could request it! I may be in a quandary, however, since my husband usually eats his entire menu, PLUS my leftovers. Oink oink! (He's actually a thin man).

 

[Shades of Narnia]

Once you have ordered a meal and it has been served, it is yours.
The restaurant does not see it as waste if you do not eat it, that waste is yours.
Waste to a restaurant is food that they purchased but did not manage to sell.
Your meal has been sold
So what happens to the food that you ordered but do not eat, is entirely up to you.

If you go to the store and buy, say, three shirts, pay for all three of them and leave one in the store on departure and never come back for it - most people would call this nuts, but they see no problem with doing the same when ordering food.

This is really odd, considering.

If you hate to see your food wasted, bring a small plastic container and take it with you. Or ask for smaller portions, or only half a menu. You have 100% influence on the food that you choose to waste, or not.

Yes, some pilgrims carry a container specifically for this.....great practice.

 

[trecile]

Another thing I like to ask for is two first plates rather than a first and a second. I usually do this when both salad and pasta are offered as first courses. I'll have the salad as my first course and the pasta as my second.

 

[DragonShadow]

When walking with a friend, we often shared a meal, "para compartir, por favor" and they happily obliged. However, that was in restaurants. I don't recall asking to share a pilgrim's meal.

 

[Caligal]

I’ve been doing 1/2 menus - just ask for it. You chose either the 1st or 2nd course, wine or water and desert. Cost has been from 6-9€ instead of the usual 10-15€.

I wondered if this was an option, wouldnt even care if the price was the same, i hate wasting food. I’ll definitely request “ media” next Camino.

 

[Tincatinker]

I don't recall ever leaving anything on my plate after a hard days walking except perhaps a few olive stones and the bones. Any spare bread goes in my pocket for breakfast.

I guess "envolver para llevar" would wrap the biscuit.

 

[Albertagirl]

Having recently had a nasty bout of dizziness and vomiting after eating something which may have been well after its "best before" date, I suggest that pilgrims taking extra food with them after a meal be careful that it is not something likely to go bad in a short time if not refrigerated. Hot temperatures may speed up this process, and the resulting product is highly unpleasant to clear out of one's system.

 

[K Turner]

Having recently had a nasty bout of dizziness and vomiting after eating something which may have been well after its "best before" date, I suggest that pilgrims taking extra food with them after a meal be careful that it is not something likely to go bad in a short time if not refrigerated. Hot temperatures may speed up this process, and the resulting product is highly unpleasant to clear out of one's system.

I was actually going to ask about that. My Camino starts next month and I wonder how everyone transports their perishables, such as leftovers or a bit of meat and cheese from the market. A lunch box of any kind is bulky and heavy. Neoprene lunch bag that stores flat and are light. I have no idea what all the options are. Thoughts?

 

[KinkyOne]

I carry small lightweight 15x15x7cm Tupperware box which can be also used in microwave ovens. Very useful for carrying tomatos which I love and they don't get mashed for example. I also use the lid as a cutting board.

If not the food other small items can go in there.

 

[K Turner]

I carry small lightweight 15x15x7cm Tupperware box which can be also used in microwave ovens. Very useful for carrying tomatos which I love and they don't get mashed for example. I also use the lid as a cutting board.

If not the food other small items can go in there.

Thank you!

 

[trecile]

I was actually going to ask about that. My Camino starts next month and I wonder how everyone transports their perishables, such as leftovers or a bit of meat and cheese from the market. A lunch box of any kind is bulky and heavy. Neoprene lunch bag that stores flat and are light. I have no idea what all the options are. Thoughts?

Whatever you use you can surround with things in your pack for insulation

 

[David with new Kit!]

I usually grab a couple of the little bags at airport security, you know, the ones for liquids?

That serves very well for any uneaten cheese etc.

Works fine for an extra day but I'd hate to think how smelly the food would be after a further day