The Daily Dish: July 28, 2016

Today's first course?

Las Vegas is an epicenter of excess. Within it, however, one hotel is a model of sustainability. Aria Resort and Casinogenerated 7 million pounds of leftover food last year. Instead of throwing all of that food into a landfill, the hotel reduced its food waste to zero. Their solution: Sending leftovers to pig farmers to be turned into slop. Pigs are famous for eating basically anything thrown in front of them, and by giving them leftover food, Aria has done its part to solve the growing food waste crisis in the United States.

Chef Mario Batali is as well known for his vast culinary empire as he is for his iconic image: vests, shorts, and bright orange Crocs.. The redheaded TV personality admitted recently on the Rachael Ray Show that when he found out his brightly colored footwear of choice was going to be discontinued in that particular orange color, he bought a lifetime supply. So, what's a lifetime supply, you might ask? Apparently about 200 pairs, which should last the boisterous chef well into retirement.

To some delegates, the mood of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia was not set by rousing speeches or grumbling protestors but rather by the quiet inaction of the Democratic Party. Timothy Baumgardner, a Washington State delegate, criticized the Democratic Party for throwing away food following a Democratic National Convention opening party instead of donating the uneaten food to the poor in surrounding neighborhoods. The delegate said he asked the caterer if the food could be donated and was told "he was not allowed to," to which Baumgardner responded, "Sad."

That's today's daily dish, thanks for watching. Stop by tomorrow for another helping.