As the aroma of roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie fills countless homes in San Diego this Holiday season, a lesser-known issue lurks beneath these festivities: food waste. The holiday season, known for its bountiful meals and grand gatherings, also leaves behind staggering amounts of discarded food, much of which is perfectly edible and equally delicious.

   According to a study from the University of Minnesota, “Every year, American families waste about 1,160 pounds of food, especially around Thanksgiving where an estimated 305 million pounds of food are wasted from Thanksgiving dinner alone” (unm.edu). Beyond Thanksgiving, “There is around a 25 percent increase in food waste” during the holiday season which ultimately equates to “an additional one million tons of extra waste per week during the months between Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year” according to a study from Each Green Corner, an organization dedicated to environmental protection (eachgreencorner.org). As a result of this extreme waste, local organizations are stepping up to tackle the issue through food donation programs and events, thus ensuring that no San Diegan goes without a meal during the holiday season.

   In San Diego, where sustainable living and environmental awareness are increasingly important, reducing food waste and ensuring that no one goes hungry during the holidays has become a priority for many organizations despite its staggering challenge. Large organizations such as the San Diego Food Bank, host an annual holiday food drive, collecting entirely non-perishable items to help combat hunger in the city. They do this by using a wide range of resources such as “experts about combating hunger, and food distribution sites throughout San Diego County” (sandiegofoodbank.org).

   However, it is not just large organizations such as the San Diego Food Bank attempting to fight hunger during this holiday season and reduce waste; smaller organizations such as the Che Cafe are fighting a similar fight. The Che Cafe, a music venue associated with the University of California, San Diego, is hosting a range of hardcore, metal, and punk shows, all while supporting the community through food drives, donations, and educational seminars, aall while composting food waste from the holidays within their gardens. 

   Junior Andres Navarro stated, “I’ve been going to the Che for months, and it’s a really fun experience for the shows, but it’s not just fun; it’s also efficient and good for the community. That’s what makes me really want to support it.” Senior Trae Lizalde had a similar experience at the Che. He said, “I’ve only been to a couple of shows there, but I’m glad I went to a place that supports the community like it does.” 

   Overall in San Diego, the holidays are evolving from weeks of indulgence and overconsumption into a moment to reflect on sustainability and community care. Organizations such as the Che and the San Diego Food Bank are doing all they can to help tackle this issue, but ultimately they rely on the community around them to continue their efforts.

   It is the San Diego community that props up these organizations, and that is why supporting them is essential. However, as individuals, San Diegans can also fight these battles from their own homes. Families can redistribute their resources, plan smarter, give back, and even cut back. According to Senior Raman Phyzhk, “My family treats each holiday meal from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve dinner like any typical meal just with a couple of extra people”. According to Phyzhk, this method of celebrating the holidays “ensures everyone can enjoy a meal, and that too much food isn’t wasted.” 

   So take a page out of Phyzhk’s book. Before piling on that extra serving of mashed potatoes or throwing away what’s left on your plate, stop and consider what can be done instead, both with those around your table and those who could use a little extra help during this holiday season.