No electric fridge. Food doesn't spoil. How?
4 Methods
1) Gas fridge (propane, absorption type — quiet, reliable, 30+ year lifespan). 2) Icehouse (winter: cut ice from pond, store in cellar in sawdust — lasts until August). 3) Root cellar (earthen, 10-12°C year-round — potatoes, apples, carrots). 4) Canning (300-500 jars/year — jams, pickles, meat, vegetables).
Result
Amish family wastes less food than average American (30-40% of US food is thrown away). Why? Because each jar is 2 hours of work. Throw away a jar = throw away 2 hours of your life.