Food Wastage & World Hunger
@Pushhyarag2000 (1416)
India
November 29, 2011 2:48am CST
It is just about my lunch time on another day. As I got ready to go home for lunch, a thought which often comes to my mind got a little deeper and made me a little more uncomfortable.
Whenever I see that there is excess cooked unconsumed food that the house hold discards, I feel deeply pained for the poor & hungry that struggle for two square meals a day. Why do we consume excess and deprive scores of people of their subsistence meal? The same happens when you eat out. There is a huge serving in some places that many members do not consume. What happens to the discard? Why should people get more than what is enough for them and then throw out excess, while being conscious & moderate in the first place can ensure some respectable minimum food for millions?
On the other side, there is extreme poverty and hunger in many places in the world. Why, even in each one of our places, there are marginalized and deprived sections that bear the brunt of unemployment & hunger.
What can I & you do? Are we willing to become conscious & reduce conspicuous consumption? Do we resolve that we will do every thing possible to prevent wastage of food?
You may visit http://www.worldhunger.org/reduce.htm and commit for one of three possible ways we can act. I have chosen to influence public policy to support for poor people.
I welcome your thoughts. Anything related to food, poverty & hunger. Share any good work or deed you may already be doing.
3 people like this
10 responses
@sjvg1976 (41270)
• Delhi, India
29 Nov 11
Hello Pushhyarag2000,
Your concern is so right!
I also feel bad whenever i see someone leaving food and throwing it in the garbage.
I also feel the same when we waste food and feel the pain of the poor people who struggle to gather food for themselves.
I remember one discussion about food wastage here on MYLOT i am giving the link ofat discussion please see the video.
http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/2482885.aspx?p=1#1_15165568
(not a referral link)
I also feel bad whenever i see someone leaving food and throwing it in the garbage.
I also feel the same when we waste food and feel the pain of the poor people who struggle to gather food for themselves.
I remember one discussion about food wastage here on MYLOT i am giving the link ofat discussion please see the video.
http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/2482885.aspx?p=1#1_15165568
(not a referral link)
2 people like this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
29 Nov 11
I don't feel like anyone should have to go hungry. I wish there was a way that everyone could eat and not have to go without for lack of money.
@Pushhyarag2000 (1416)
• India
29 Nov 11
sjvg: very touching video. And it is a true story, I noted. Hope people visiting this discussion topic also notice the same and spend a little time watching it. But beyond that should be our action. So, as my demonstrated commitment beyond concern, I have already joined the site shared by marguicha i.e freerice.com and have started winning rice for hungry people. I have shared the info on Twitter and Facebook. Hopw you will do so too.
2 people like this
@GemmaR (8517)
•
29 Nov 11
When I was at primary school, we used to be partners with a local farm which had pigs, and they would be willing to take our waste to feed to their pigs, which then saved on the amount of food that they had to buy and also meant that none of the food from the school had to be wasted at all. This is a good idea and I think that it is something that other schools should think about too, as it means that nothing is wasted. When I am at home, I am very careful only to cook the amount of food that I need for that particular meal.
1 person likes this
@Pushhyarag2000 (1416)
• India
29 Nov 11
GemmaR both the practices mentioned by you are quite thoughtful. Very comforting to hear about such true concern. May the tribe of kind people like you grow! 
1 person likes this
@smacksman (6053)
•
29 Nov 11
These 'poor' countries have had millions of aid poured into them for 50 years and the only people who have benefitted are the fat rulers.
Sorry, but the fact is that they are not competent to govern themselves.
The very best thing for all the people in the country would be to form a charter and run it like a business. Invest in the infrastructure and develop the country from the bottom up. They have proved they are unable to do it for themselves so they need to be managed.
Most of these countries have seasonal rain but they don't have dams. Most have suitable soil for growing crops but lack ability to get a decent yeild. Many lack the incentive to grow more than they need for their family unit.
Things must change drastically or there will be no change for the next 50 years.
@smacksman (6053)
•
30 Nov 11
There are aid workers doing a wonderful job in deprived countries and I agree we should support them. My argument is that they help a few hundred when millions are needed to be helped. Aid workers are continually being slowed down by corrupt government officials. It is not unknown for food aid to be hijacked by the army to feed themselves as they havn't been paid for months.
OXFAM ( Oxford Committee for Famine Relief ) was formed in 1942 and have been doing wonderful work as a charity for nearly 70 years.
UNESCO ( United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ) has changed names but goes back to 1921 - 90 years ago.
WFC ( World Food Council) was a United Nations organization established by the UN with the goal to help reduce malnutrition and hunger and set up in 1974 - 37 years ago. It was officially suspended in 1993 as corrupt and useless. WFC's jobs were absorbed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Food Programme.
I can go on and on. We are not just talking of years of wasted money to produce no lasting succor for the worlds poor and hungry, but a lifetime of waste.
It plainly has not worked. Some other method must be tried.
Though my method is politically incorrect to many minds, I think it is the only way it can work for the good of the masses.
We may yet see China doing exactly that in the near future.
@Pushhyarag2000 (1416)
• India
30 Nov 11
Agree. Plenty of aid has flown in. But that's still a problem which the community has to deal with. I mean, handful of dirty & evil minded administrators or politicians using up precious aid for self gratification depriving poor of their legitimate share. So the poor & hungry suffer, nevertheless. Which is why our concerns perhaps should focus more on community mobilization to put pressure on administrators in such nations stop playing with human lives.
You have pointed to the malaise which partially causes the unfortunate victims' suffering. There must be some Samaritans working out there to change things but gradually. Can we offer support to such groups to strengthen their resolve to continue to ensure benefits go to the needy ones? If children have to suffer the misdeeds of the father of a family, we condemn the guy but until he is reformed, children have to be fed.
I'm open for exchange.
1 person likes this
@Pushhyarag2000 (1416)
• India
30 Nov 11
It is a pity that all well intentioned donor programs end up the same way. Corruption eats into a sizable portion of even normal developmental funding by international funding agencies-forget grant, even loans-its a social curse in many developing nations, I think.
But be as that may, while corrupt must be condemned, compassion for poor & hungry should not dry up. Conceded that there is more than a strong reason for cynicism, as otherwise, poor will die for no fault of theirs.
Not even the WFP can be trusted with genuine work? A small measure, I'll resolve two things:
# I'll not take more or order more than I can consume
# I'll offer my support to any bona-fide agency that does some work for the hungry.
Has been good discussing with you so far!
1 person likes this
@marguicha (222325)
• Chile
29 Nov 11
I am much worried about the famine in so many places on Earth. The amount of undernourished people and of people literally dying of hunger is 2 billion. The worst part of it is that food on the planet is enough for everyone and it is up to us to change the way it is used.
Meanwhile, I work everyday for some time at a site called freerice.com. It depends on the WFP and by playing a game which also teaches us we donate rice that goes to hungry people. Check it, please
@Pushhyarag2000 (1416)
• India
29 Nov 11
marguicha: thank you for sharing another way to participate in action to eradicate world hunger. I'm going to register at freerice.com I just checked it out. I think I can also place the banner on my blog & share on Twitter & Facebook.
We can do our bit!
1 person likes this
@marguicha (222325)
• Chile
29 Nov 11
Thanks friend. Before I joined the site, I didn´t know there was so much hunger in the world. After that, I felt I just had to help a bit.Sometimes they send small sets of questions and if we answer, we are helping too.
Sometimes they send small sets of questions and if we answer, we are helping too.
@henkiprananda (2729)
• Indonesia
29 Nov 11
i agree with you. in fact many big country just waste food, but other poor country still in hungry.
@Pushhyarag2000 (1416)
• India
29 Nov 11
I think sustained campaign will help creating responsiveness.
1 person likes this
@henkiprananda (2729)
• Indonesia
30 Nov 11
really? i don't think so. it was happen in few year ago, when i still kid. now i 25 year. what the different?. just a few organiztion wanna help hungry people.
a few month ago i see some artcle, that a fashion designer create dress from milk. i think did they doesn't care with hungry children? create dress from milk?.
now,for rich country, wasting foodjust like new trend. all we can do nt just campaign, but support the organization who still care with poor country.
a few month ago i see some artcle, that a fashion designer create dress from milk. i think did they doesn't care with hungry children? create dress from milk?.
now,for rich country, wasting foodjust like new trend. all we can do nt just campaign, but support the organization who still care with poor country.1 person likes this
@diala84 (138)
• United States
29 Nov 11
I agree that waste and excess are bad especially when so many go without having much to eat. However, I also believe that not all waste is bad. For instance I compost my leftover fruit and vegetable scraps. These add to my garden and provide nutrients to the soil and the animals and insects that live there. It also means that when I garden the next year my garden can produce more food for me and my family.
Many organizations also donate their leftovers to food banks in the local area to serve the poor. Many churches and other organizations are able to get donations from grocery stores and local farmers to feed the hungry in the local area. Although all these methods only work when people buy and consume all that they take it is still better than having all the leftovers thrown out. Individuals are the ones with the power to change by eating what they serve themselves and buying what they can eat.
As for world hunger it is easier to deal with our problems in our own community because it is much easier to transport and fresh produce and foods to the local area than to export it to other areas of the world. The best we can do is to find food that are ideal for each climate and area around the world to grow and harvest. We can also find foods that keep for long periods of time to suppliment the food that already grows there.
1 person likes this
@Pushhyarag2000 (1416)
• India
29 Nov 11
Hello diala: It is remarkable to see a comment full of so many good thoughts. . I find it makes sense to deploy waste generated for productive purposes. The second initiative, a community driven effort is equally noble.
I particularly mark these from your comment as notable: eating what they serve and buying what they can eat. This in my view deserves greatest emphasis as it applies to people around and across the globe.
Love your thoughts!
. I find it makes sense to deploy waste generated for productive purposes. The second initiative, a community driven effort is equally noble.
I particularly mark these from your comment as notable: eating what they serve and buying what they can eat. This in my view deserves greatest emphasis as it applies to people around and across the globe.
Love your thoughts!1 person likes this
@blue65packer (11826)
• United States
30 Nov 11
I work in food service. At a college to be more pacific. I see alot of waste! The students waste alot of the food! They take to much and don't eat all of it! Their mind thinks they will eat all the food they eat! Not all the time! My old boss tried to convince the students not to waste food. It didn't work! College students don't like being told to do! The cooks don't like to waste food but it happens! Some food gets thrown out because it can't be reheated,was reheated once allready,Once inawhile food gets burned,food doesn't get used after it sits in the coolers, and other things. Food scrapes like from vegs,fruits and sometimes old bread is put in a compost container and used in compost. In the spring it is used to plant flowers and other plants around the campus. if I waste food at home I put in on a manure pile at the stble I work at on sunday. The manure pile get taken away at least ever few months to be used for compost and hop soil. So I know I am not wasting food! World Hunger is a real big problem and I think,in some cases,countries goverment needs to step up to feed their hungery! making more people aware of the problem would help! It is not a easy thing to deal with!
@Pushhyarag2000 (1416)
• India
30 Nov 11
Hi. Quite heartening to hear so much about awareness. Where food management is on a big scale, it is understandable it becomes a bit difficult to prevail on every one. If we are able to free ourselves from the guilt associated with wasting away while somewhere a large number of people struggle on a day to day basis, we are of service to mankind. It is good see you say that proudly.
Thanks you for a very concerned response.
1 person likes this
@ravisivan (14079)
• India
29 Nov 11
Yes. One side you have people wasting food. On the other side lakhs of people are suffering for want of food for once in a day.
We give whatever is left out after our taking to our servant maid or watchman. They eat it. Sometimes when the food is carried on for an extra day and gets spoilt we do not give to anybody but throw it into dustbin --it is because we do not want others health also to be affected.
Some people eat more food and some cannot eat even one fourth of is quantity. It is all God's making. We should have hunger to a limited extent only so that we do not need more food. I am telling for old people like me and not for youngsters. They should eat well.
@Pushhyarag2000 (1416)
• India
29 Nov 11
ravisivan: maid servants & watchmen are quite conscious too these days and politely refuse to accept where we live at present. I think this is also becoming common at many places as I have heard from relatives. The best practice therefore is to be a little more measured & conscious, while picturing poor peoples' plight, to cook or order with care & modesty. This will ensure that food items in uncooked state are made available for the needy and they also feel grateful.
1 person likes this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
29 Nov 11
There are some children that don't even get to eat every day.. they go to bed hungry and they get up hungry. It's just a crime to me that children must go hungry.. let alone the grownups. Yes, it is sad when people eat supersized meals or throw away what they don't eat and others wish they could eat their crumbs they leave behind.
@Pushhyarag2000 (1416)
• India
29 Nov 11
That's a very concerned response on the issue. We all could do our bit to join the cause for eradication of hunger in our own little way by promising ourselves to avoid deprivation of others.
1 person likes this
@WakeUpKitty (8694)
• Netherlands
30 Nov 11
I don't know who is wasting the food but it's not me.
I never have left overs, don't like to waste food and don't buy it if I don't eat it. So I buy if the cupboard is empty.
If my kids want something they have to finish it, we also don't overeat our selves.
Interesting thing is that one side of the world is hungry, the other side wants to be hungry to look "great".
Once a college of my work left. We decided to give him a cooking book made by ourselves. We all gave one recipe of our selves. One of the colleges wrote in that cooking book: food is just there to say alive. Everything that comes out is useless food, is wasted, not necessary (plus waste of money). Think about that next time you go to the bathroom. Imagine how much more money you save if you don't need to go over there, flushing, wiping etc.
@Pushhyarag2000 (1416)
• India
30 Nov 11
Kitty, your family deserves kudos for being so conscious & concerned. Given the fact that discipline & awareness is hard to inculcate, your kids too deserve honest appreciation!
That was a very thoughful gift to your colleague. 
1 person likes this
