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We are especially stringent when it comes to wasting food, because food is the staff of life. Therefore, the Sages added restrictions to help ensure food is not wasted. For example, they prohibited passing a full cup over bread, out of concern the liquid might spill and ruin the bread. A person serving himself food should make sure to take a reasonable portion, to avoid needing to throw away leftovers. However, when people realize they are full, it is preferable they stop eating, even if the leftovers will be thrown out, because keeping the body healthy is more important than preserving the food. A person preparing a meal should make efforts not to overcook, to avoid being left with food which will have to be thrown out (unless it is a meal where proper respect demands abundance).
If one hosts a large meal and has a large quantity of healthy, tasty food left over, one should refrigerate or freeze it for later use. If there is so much left that family members will not be able to finish the food on their own, one should try to distribute the leftovers to friends, neighbors, and relatives. Similarly, restaurant owners and caterers should try to donate their leftovers to educational institutions or to poor families. Again, if the time and trouble necessary to find people who can use the food exceeds its value, they are not required to do so, although it is still admirable. If it is difficult to find people who will enjoy the leftovers, giving the leftovers to cats or dogs is also worthy.
