The man on the corner, aged beyond his years covered with wrinkles, begged for my spare change. Instead of digging into my pocket, I rolled my eyes and assumed he’d blow it on booze. Like many people, this is what hunger in my city looked like to me, until it didn’t.
I was shocked when a young co-worker confided that she has been on food stamps. A single mother, employed full-time, still struggling to make ends meet. Yet her challenge to put food on her family’s table is one that many Americans face daily.
This man and co-worker represent the tip of the food iceberg. World Environment Day reflects on why food is too valuable to waste locally and abroad:
I once was an uninformed young lady, stocking up on groceries and throwing half my fridge away. However, I began to see dollar bills and environmental resources squandered through producing food, carbon emissions (transportation), and energy (cooking).
How can you reduce food waste? Here are steps I took to get started:
I learned that you don’t have to make sacrifices to cut back on wasting food. Just like Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Just start with your own table.
Next time you see a man on the corner asking for food or look over to the next cubicle at lunchtime, remember the stats. Try giving back by volunteering at soup kitchen or donating to those in need.
Readers, what are you doing to reduce food waste?
by Julie Hancher
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This post is my entrance in the World Environment Day Blogging “Think.Eat.Save – Reduce your foodprint” contest. If you like the post, please comment, “Like” it on UNEP’s page or Retweet it using #WED2013. Thanks!
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