Food; Waste Not

It’s wonderful when kids start teaching parents. That’s what happened when I was about to throw a worn-out apple from the fridge. “Mom, why do you stock more than what we can eat? Do you know by throwing that apple away, you are throwing away 5 buckets of water?” There it was – the moment – the moment to pause and think - I absolutely love these moments that helps me pause mundane stuff and reflect and admire about life and its dichotomies.

We had a potluck dinner at office recently. It was a lovely event with many awesome mouth-watering dishes. Great hidden talent was exposed. We thoroughly enjoyed the dinner and in spite of all of us overeating, it is no exaggeration that we wasted more than half the food that day.
This supports the hundreds of report on food waste, which highlights that more than half of all the food produced in the world is wasted. It is said that the food wasted by a few rich countries is enough to feed the entire population of poor countries. The effect is not just financial, the wastage of water, pesticides used, the fuel used for transportation and the methane gas produced from the waste all makes our contribution towards wasting food not a very Green proposition.

So why do we waste food – I think this is simple – man from times immemorial is a stockist and has a very risk averse, hoarding attitude. It is said that our anthropology is also based on hoarding food. So even during the days of plenty – we will always produce more food, cook more food and more importantly eat more than what is required. The other side of the coin is Overeating. Overeating and Wastage is due to our hoarding attitude, both are injurious to ourselves and to the society.

I enjoyed reading the “Share my dabba” initiative by the dabbawalas of Mumbai. A Havard case study and certified Six sigma by Forbes, this network of people who deliver lunchboxes have come up with a brilliant way to save food every day. This food delivered through this network is to around 200 thousand people and around 120 tonnes every day. Through a small sticker called “Share”, they hope more than 16 tonnes of food can be saved, and more importantly reach the plate of the hungry!

Going back to my favourite poet Thiruvalluvar who quotes “Food and exercise – if excessive or insufficient is the mother of all root causes for Disease”

Marundhena Ventaavaam Yaakkaikku Arundhiyadhu
Atradhu Potri Unin

Simply put, A person will not be diseased, who eats only after what he has already eaten is fully digested (hence he will not need any medicine).

Atradhu Arindhu Kataippitiththu Maaralla
Thuykka Thuvarap Pasiththu

Knowing the food digested well, when hunger prompteth thee,
With constant care, the viands choose that well agree.

I would like to end by quoting Chetan Bhagat here – “Life is not to be taken seriously, as we are really temporary here. We are like a pre-paid card with limited validity. If we are lucky, we may last another 50 years. And 50 years is just 2,500 weekends. Do we really need to get so worked up?
We are people, not programmed devices.....
Don't be Serious, be Sincere !”

Yes, let’s be Sincere… about not wasting food and about not overeating. This will make our 2500 weekends more meaningful and enjoyable!

Cheerio