Reasons Why You Shouldn't Ignore Food Wastage

 

 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULDN'T IGNORE FOOD WASTAGE

One of the fundamental needs of humans is food, along with water. To get the nutrients our bodies require to function properly, we must eat food. Our bodies are like power plants, as you can see. Gas and coal are frequently used to fuel power plants since they are unable to function without them. The same may be said for our bodies. According to science, eating gives our bodies the energy they require to live

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Food waste refers to food that was thrown out since it was unnecessary because it occurs when you overfill your bowl or plate without first calculating how much food you can actually eat. Food waste can happen at any stage, including during production, processing, and packing, as it must be sold and consumed on the market, a process known as the food supply chain.

This food waste may be unintentional or inadvertent, but in either case, it results in a shortage of food for other people. The issue of food waste can occur at any point in the food supply chain, which includes harvesting, storing, packing, transporting, market conditions, or infrastructure. This is a global issue that is still getting worse, not just one that affects one nation.

WHY DO WE NEED TO REDUCE FOOD WASTE?

Reducing food waste is absolutely crucial. Even while it all appears quite difficult, accomplishing this doesn't necessarily call for a crazy band of superheroes. Everyone just needs to be a little bit smart about it.

1. MANY PEOPLE DON'T HAVE FOOD TO EAT

We must maximize the use of the food we have because millions of people are underfed and malnourished worldwide. The fact that every person in Europe and North America annually wastes more food than their own body weight only serves to highlight how serious the issue is. The amount of food wasted in affluent nations is nearly equal to the total amount produced in developing nations. 200 million hungry people might be fed just the food wasted in Europe.

POVERTY

In both higher-wealth and low- to middle-income nations, poverty is the primary factor contributing to global hunger. Most hungry people are classified as being in extreme poverty, which is defined as having a daily income of $2.15 or less. Around the world, 1 in 5 children and more than 650 million people live in extreme poverty.

Smallholder farmers in emerging nations make up most of the population living in extreme poverty. They lack the acreage to cultivate enough food to feed themselves year-round, and the money they receive from selling what they grow is so low that they cannot afford to buy food from outside sources when their own supply runs out.

2. CLIMATIC CHANGE AND ECOSYSTEMS

If wasted food were a nation, it would be the third largest producer of carbon dioxide. Food waste significantly affects the global climate due to its 3.3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide production. Due to the growing amount of food waste, landfills are rising steadily, drawing a variety of animals and upsetting delicate ecosystems. Throwing leftover food into the ocean hurts sea life and the delicate equilibrium of the ocean.

QUICK TIPS FOR REDUCING FOOD WASTE AND BECOMING A FOOD HERO

1. STORE FOOD WISELY

Put newer items towards the back of the fridge or cupboard and older items up front. Maintain the freshness of open food in the refrigerator by using airtight containers, and make sure packets are sealed to keep bugs out.

2. SUPPORT LOCAL FOOD PRODUCER

Local family farmers and small businesses are supported when you purchase their products. By limiting the travel distances of trucks and other vehicles, you also contribute to the fight against pollution.

3. UNDERSTANDING FOOD LABELLING

Best before" and "use-by" dates differ significantly from one another. The "use-by" date indicates when food is no longer safe to consume, even when the "best before" date may occasionally indicate that it is still good to consume. Avoid eating anything with extra sugar or salt, and read the labels of your food to look for dangerous substances like trans fats and preservatives.

4. USE LESS WATER

Without water, we cannot grow food! Farmers must use less water to grow food, but cutting back on food waste also conserves the water used to produce it. Other strategies to cut back on your water consumption include mending leaks and ceasing the water while you brush your teeth.

5. CREATE A MEAL PLAN

A smart method to make sure you eat well is to plan at least a couple meals every week. Because you feel like you need to be ready for everything, it also helps you avoid purchasing excessive amounts of food. Plan your meals in advance to avoid using entirely different components for every recipe. Consider preparing broccoli as a casserole one night and as a side the next.

6. COMPOST

It's not necessary to throw away vegetable peels. Food waste can be kept out of the trash and fed to your garden by using backyard composting. Additionally, there are little composting bins that you may keep in your house.

7.fREEZE YOUR 5-A-DAY

Got some fresh fruit and vegetables you can't use right away? Why don't you freeze them? You can compensate for some fruits and vegetables losing their texture when frozen by freezing them pureed or stewed. Use the puree from tomatoes, strawberries, or apples in smoothies or as a sauce for other fresh fruits. You can also use the puree from tomatoes for pizza or pasta meals (use stewed apple on your porridge or muesli, or as the base for a fruit crumble).

8. USE LEFTOVERS CREATIVELY

Food that isn't fresh should be used rather than thrown away. Soup stock can be created using leftover vegetable scraps and peels. Oatmeal cooked with tender apples or blueberries is ideal. Stale bread can even be used to make egg strata or croutons. For soups or stir-fries, slightly wilted vegetables work well. One of the best things about soup is that almost anything can be used to prepare it.