“WASTE NOT WANT NOT!”
Kathy O’Keefe on behalf of the Federation Ecology Committee
“When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You shall not strip your vineyard bare or gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the foreigner: I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19: 9-10)
The Earth belongs to God and has been entrusted to us. For the benefit of people and our planet, we who are blessed with an abundance of food are to share it with those who are in need. We are to work towards food security for all. Pope Francis declares: “You pray for the hungry. Then you feed them. This is how prayer works.” This year September 29th was declared the first International Day of Awareness on Food Loss and Waste Reduction.
Being raised on a farm, I was taught the value of food. Hard work went into the planting, tending and harvesting. Having lived through the Great Depression and the Second World War when rationing and food shortage was the norm, my parents led by example. In order to provide for a large family, they carefully managed our resources by meal planning, teaching us to only take what we could eat, creatively using leftovers, preserving and freezing food so that there was always enough.
Have you ever thought of how much food you waste and the impact it has? The wisdom of the proverbial saying “Waste Not Want Not” calls us to pay attention. Food waste affects us all. Worldwide, we already grow enough food to provide for everyone. At the same time, millions of people are underfed and malnourished. In order to make the most of the food we have, we need to effectively redistribute what we do not use. As global citizens, we all have a role to play.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, up to a third of the world’s food is wasted before it can be eaten: This amounts to 1.3 billion tons around the world every year. This is a shocking reality and an ethical outrage! We are facing a global crisis! Climate experts have identified food waste as one of the top sustainability problems worldwide and the UN environment program has an ambitious goal of eliminating one half of all food waste by 2030.
Whenever people discard food, all the resources to grow, ship and produce it are squandered, including massive amounts of water. Careless disposal of food happens in processing, transport, supermarkets and kitchens. Diverting food waste to composting is better than sending it to a landfill. Canada’s 2.2 million tons of annual avoidable household waste is equivalent to 9.8 tons of C02 and 2.1 million cars on the road!
To provide immediate hunger relief, protect the environment, and avoid economic fallout, there are scientific and innovative solutions being developed for combatting food waste. In France, since 2016, it is unlawful for large grocery stores to throw away edible food. Second Harvest is Canada’s largest food rescue charity. Their mission is to recover fresh, nutritious, unsold food from across Canada: Then, redistribute it to charities, non-profits and indigenous communities in every province and territory. This free, essential service provides food to school programs, seniors’ centres, shelters, food banks, and regional food hubs. The Flashfoodbox app alerts people in Toronto of available, affordable, misshapen fruits and vegetables that are home delivered.
Crisis can often bring out the best in humanity. During the present Covid-19 pandemic, there are countless examples of this truth. The exhortation to “share your food with the hungry” (Isaiah 58:7) remains. God will provide for people in need through us. To work to lessen food waste, there is a need for sacrificing for the common good; for sharing, and cooperation. God’s bounty is not to be wasted.
How is food being redistributed in your city?
Online Resources through Google: U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, David Suzuki Foundation, Oxfam Canada, Love Food Hate Waste Canada, FoodRescue.ca Flashfoodbox, Community Food Centres Canada
