Wasted food and relational opportunities

Quote

“If the misery of the poor be caused not by the laws of nature, but by our institutions, great is our sin.” Charles Darwin

News

Over a third of all food grown or produced in the world is wasted, never reaching a human stomach, according to a report by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMECHE) this week.  The figures have been contested, but even if the level is only half that, it would still be scandalous.

Waste in high income countries comes from fruit and vegetables being rejected at the farm level because they are the wrong size or blemished; even more food is thrown away from the kitchens of consumers who bought too much – perhaps enticed by supermarket special offers.  In lower income countries, wastage is mainly due to poor harvesting, transport, storage and marketing infrastructure, such that food perishes before it reaches the final consumers. 

The IMECHE report focuses on wasted land, energy and water resources, and the lost nutritional value of the food thrown away.  Through a relational lens, however, a further loss is brought to light in terms of the frustration of all those who have worked together to produce food for the community, and who then see much of their effort come to nothing.  Lost also are the hours and days wasted on fruitless labour which might otherwise have been spent socially with family and friends, or engaged in other productive activity with others. 

An increasing amount of wasted food is being recycled, e.g. into compost. But at a time of economic stress, when the number of families (in Britain at least) who struggle to put food on the table is rising, what would it really take to distribute more edible food to people in need instead of throwing it away – notwithstanding the difficulties and risks involved? 

Times of material hardship are equally times of relational opportunity.

Read on…  

In Britain the number of church-run foodbanks has doubled in the last year to over 250, providing urgent food packages to 128,000 people in 2011-12.  This all started from one foodbank in the year 2000.  Read a research report into this remarkable community service here.

Walk the talk

How much food are you wasting in your home – not only physically but relationally too?  Sharing meals together is one of the best ways that families, friends, colleagues and acquaintances can develop or maintain their relationships. What might you do to increase the relational value of your food - both at mealtimes and by supporting a local foodbank? 

The last word

From the Bible: Psalm 104:14-15 “[God] makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate—bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart.”