back-to-top
x
close

Tag: Thanksgiving

By Nicolle Walker

As a personal chef, I am always thinking about the next meal that I am making. And as a food access advocate and Table to Table volunteer/emerging leader, I am always thinking about how to make sure that food waste becomes a thing of the past. 

Thanksgiving is one of those holidays that begs for excess. The “once-a-year” meal promises leftovers galore, but how many days in a row can we really eat “gobbler” sandwiches? I have some new ideas to transform that turkey and sides into new meals that you will want to savor, maybe even more than the traditional ones! 

Stuffing Strata

Stuffing Strata is the perfect morning after breakfast.

Before heading off to bed combine leftover stuffing with shredded turkey (or ham), any roasted veggies, eggs and cream, and a healthy sprinkle of cheese.

Cover and let sit in the fridge overnight, then bake covered at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes for a hearty breakfast that everyone will love. 

Potato Soup

Mashed potatoes almost never last in my house, but if you find yourself with extras, try making a pot of potato soup!

Bring your mashed potatoes to room temperature, then combine them in a pot with your choice of chicken or vegetable broth and whisk. Start with equal amounts of potatoes and broth, then thin until you find your desired consistency.

Serve with shredded cheddar, sliced scallions, maybe some crumbled bacon, and of course a turkey sandwich! 

These are just a few ideas about transforming Thanksgiving leftovers into delicious meals! Have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

Editor’s note: Nicolle Walker is a volunteer with Table to Table and a member of our Emerging Leaders Council. She is the executive chef and owner of Love & Plates.

About 316 million pounds of food will be wasted this Thanksgiving, according to ReFED, a national nonprofit dedicated to ending loss and waste across the food system.

The 316 million pounds of food represents more than $556 million worth of groceries wasted in a single day. This discarded food could provide five meals each to the more than 48 million individuals experiencing food insecurity in the United States. In New Jersey, officials estimate that 1 million residents are food insecure.

ReFED reports that nearly two-thirds, 58 percent, of the food wasted on Thanksgiving will come from just two sources: turkey and milk. The amount of wasted turkey alone is about 8.2 million whole turkeys, about 4 percent of all the turkeys the United States produces each year.

This wasted food will release nearly 5,000 metric tons of methane, or enough electricity to power 26,000 homes a year.

As New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue, Table to Table’s mission is to reduce food waste by rescuing nutritious food and deliver it to our food-insecure neighbors throughout northern New Jersey. We rescue millions of pounds of fresh food annually that would otherwise be wasted and end up in landfills. This contributes to climate change. We deliver it to partner organizations who support the nearly 1 million people in our area who need it most.

Together, we can reduce food waste in our home and make a positive impact on the planet. Every little bit of effort—no matter how small—leads to change. Join us. Become a food rescue hero by downloading the Table to Table I-Rescue app. Claim a rescue, pick the food up, and deliver it to a local nonprofit. Most rescues take less than 1 hour.

© 2024 TableToTable - All rights reserved. Table to Table is a 501(c)(3) organization, Tax ID 22-3646125

Privacy Policy