7th Annual “Donated not Wasted” Campaign Feeds Lee County
If only my mom knew about the “Donated not Wasted” campaign. You see, my mother always told me to never waste food and finish everything on my plate.
I would hear about kids starving in other countries. I always felt really guilty about pretending to eat my string beans and spitting them into a napkin after that. But not now. Just donate!
According to NBC2, the “Donated not Wasted” campaign is from the good people over at Lee County Solid Waste. They wanted to rescue good food from being trashed and instead get it onto the plates of the people who need it the most.
It’s an awesome idea really. When snowbirds and vacationers head home, they sometimes throw away a lot of food. Instead, they’re encouraged to donate their unopened food items. So far, the “Donated not Wasted” campaign has saved a whopping 31,100 pounds of food from going to waste!
Donated not Wasted:
Our food-saving superheroes can’t do it alone. The Lee County Solid Waste is teaming up with a bunch of organizations like the Harry Chapin Food Bank, Waste Pro, and the Lee County Library System to make sure this food gets where it’s needed. They call it “resource redistribution,” which basically means making sure a lot of good food goes to the right places.
To get in on the action, you can drop off your unopened dry or canned food at specific spots between March 18 and April 1. There are a slew of drop-off points all over Lee County, including libraries and recreation centers. And if you need more info, just dial 239-533-8000.
The 7th Annual “Donated not Wasted” campaign isn’t just about being nice. It’s about doing what’s right for our community. By donating, you’re not only helping others, but you’re also reducing waste and not throwing away perfectly fine string beans hidden inside your napkin.
Foods You Should Probably Skip Air Frying
Large Bone-In Meat
We’re not talking about chicken wings here, we’re talking about large whole chickens. You’re better off sticking to an oven when it comes to cooking them. If you’re wondering why, chicken must be cooked to a specific temperature internally before being consumed. According to the USDA, all poultry should reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Unfortunately, air frying this food item doesn’t guarantee an even cook. But hey, at least chicken wings are small enough to get an even crisp. Just make sure you line the air fryer basket first if it’s raw meat.
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Wet Batters
An air fryer is not a deep fryer. So, if you’re looking to toss battered fries, meat cutlets, or battered veggies, think again. There’s a big chance the batter will drip down the base of the machine, causing a big mess and major cleanup after. Bad enough, some people didn’t know you even had to clean an air fryer regularly. No really, someone on Reddit shared that they didn’t wash their air fryer basket after each use. “I don’t think I’ve ever washed it lol. I’ve had it for 8 months and decided to finally wash it today,” they wrote. They continued to say how there was a bunch of “solidified juices” and “fat/ grease” from steak and chicken.
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Cheesy Foods
It’s possible to make your favorite cheesy snacks in an air fryer. But it can get messy. AllRecipes cautions against air frying cheese. This isn’t because of health reasons but for cleanup purposes. They point out that cheese melts fast. The outlet suggests sticking to foods that effectively hold the cheese in place. Maybe, just stick to frozen cheeses like mozzarella sticks.
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Leafy or Chard Greens
Sure you can go ahead and put those Brussels sprouts or broccoli in the air fryer. But skip putting spinach, collard, or chard leaves in. If you haven’t tried it already, light leaves might move and shift around during the cooking process. You may also come across a fairly dry vegetable if you don’t put a little oil with it. And, of course, you don’t want to forget the seasonings.
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Popcorn
Some people have tried it but you probably shouldn’t. Most air fryer models won’t reach the required temperature to pop the kernels. According to Jolly Time Pop Corn, the best popping temperature is between 400 and 460 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, popcorn kernels can become lodged within the air fryer’s heating element, which can potentially cause it to short.
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Pasta, Quinoa, Rice, Grains
Some grains like bread can be cooked in an air fryer. However, it can get a little tricky with lighter breads like toast and English muffins due to the air making them fly around. But anything like pasta, quinoa, and rice doesn’t do too well. Raw grains need to absorb water to cook. But there is some good news. If you have rice that’s already cooked, just add a little oil to reat in the air fryer.
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