The Lamar register., 1917-04-11
Waste No Food

from Rome where the international
Institute of Agriculture is now in
This institute is the highest au-
thority there is on world food condi-
tions.
Its sessions are attended by dele
gates from every country and its
judgments are based upon the most
complete and accurate data that the
worlds foremost agricultural experts
can gather.
When the international Institute of
Agriculture speaks, it is not guess
ing; it knows.
And when it finds that the worlds
food supply is so short that it is nee
essary to sound an alarm, the nation
or the individual that does not listen
and heed the warning is unspeakably
foolish and is courting disaster.
The question that every individual
should ask himself, in view of this
alarming warning is: What can l do
TO increase and conserve the food
supply?
The answer is obvious.
Cultivate every square foot Of soil
that you possibly can and do not
waste food.
The secretary of agriculture re-
Gently stated that the experts in his
department estimated the food waste
in this country as reaching the enor-
nous total in value of 7OO,OOO,O 900
Think of it! Nearly three-quarters
of a billion dollars worth Of food
wasted in a year!
There are hundred million people
in this country-about 20,000,000 fam
lilies.
The food waste averages about $35
family. This probably is upwards
Of 10 per cent of the food purchased
by the average family.
"Of course, the waste in families Of
very limited means IL light" says
the secretary, "but in families of
moderate and ample means the waste
is considerable. As a nation we
seem to have a disdain OF economic
ing. In many homes there is a strong
feeling that it is only decent to pro-
vide more food than will be eaten
and that 1t is demeaning to reckon
closely"
Now, we know that is true, don't
we? II we will be perfectly honest
with ourselves a good many Of US
will have 10 admit that what the sec
retary says comes mighty close to-
describing our own state Of mind.
Another phase Of the situation is
referred TO by the secretary in these
words: "The food waste in the house
hold results, in large measure, from
bad preparation, and bad cooking,
from improper care and handling, and
in well-to-do families. from serving
an undue number Of courses and an
overabundant supply, and failing to
save and utilize the food not consum-
ed. As an instance Of improper hand
ling it is discovered that in the pre-
paration Of potatoes 20 per cent Of
the edible portion in many cases is
discarded"
Now that we are at war-a war that
may last for years-it is the patriotic
duty Of every man, woman and child
in the nation to do everything possible
to make victory certain.
Food conservation is one Of the
vital elements in the tremendous prob
lem that now confronts the nation.
WASTE NO FooDl" This should
be our motto from today until the
end Of the war.
Remember that food is wasted:
When we eat more than our bodies
need for growth and repair and to
supply energy for our work
When food is burned or spoiled in
cooking
When too much food is prepared for
a meal
When too much food is served at
meal
When anything edible is allowed to
go to the garbage pail or allowed to
spoil for lack Of proper handling
When food is handled carelessly.
Say to yourself now, Mrs. House
wife: "For one month | am going TO