World Food Day 2014 – Getting Kids involved in Preventing Food Wastage

World Food Day is observed every year on 16 October, to mark the beginning of the U.N.'s Food and Agricultural Organization. Every year, the organization focuses on a particular theme regarding food, in an attempt to create sustainable food sources and to eradicate hunger across the globe.

This year, the theme of World Food Day is 'Family Farming: Feeding the World, Caring for the Earth'. The focus here is on supporting family farmers who, though being involved in food production themselves, are among the 805 million hungry people of the world. India has the largest number of hungry people in the world which is ironic considering that many Indians waste huge amounts of food especially during festivals and weddings. Globally, it is estimated that nearly 1.3 billion tonnes of food are wasted every year. Imagine how many starving people that much food could feed!!

The only way to turn this situation around is to get started with the youngest members of our society. Our kids need to be educated about the current food situation in the world and how they can help. To start with, train them to prevent food wastage, as cutting down on wastage ensures that the available resources are more evenly distributed among the population. Here are some simple tips to get our kids involved in preventing food wastage.

1. Buy Less

Start with buying only what you need. You save money and avoid wastage too. It always helps to make a menu plan and shop accordingly. Involve your kids in making the menu, taking their choices into account. Take them shopping and ask them to cross items of the list as you get each one. This way they'll not get drawn into impulsive and wasteful shopping.

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2. Buy in Season

Buying fruits and vegetables that are in season are good for your pocket and your health. Out of season produce are usually packed with chemicals and have traveled long distances to reach you, affecting their freshness. Try buying food items that are as authentic as possible and sourced from their original locations, like those available at uIndia. Teach your children about the various fruits and vegetables that grow in each season and make a chart so that they'll remember.

3. Store well

Sorting groceries once you're back home is a fun activity for kids. They can put fruits and vegetables into individual fridge bags and store grains and lentils into designated containers. Keeping everything labeled and organized will go a long way in making sure you use up all the food from your last shopping trip before buying more. You'll also realize what foods aren't readily consumed in your household.

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4. Close the Fridge

Opening and closing the fridge door frequently affects its internal temperature which in turn affects the food inside it. Most kids are notorious for doing this, especially during the summer months! Teach them to take whatever they need in one single trip to the fridge to keep things as fresh as possible. During summer, it's a good idea to have a thermos cooler with a tap outside the fridge. Also ensure that you do not overstuff your fridge or freezer to maintain optimum functionality.

5. Finish Leftovers

We are used to telling children to 'finish what's on your plate', but it's better to always serve a little less in the beginning. We often overestimate kids' appetites and force them to eat the rest. Instead, save the leftover food in proper food safe containers and refrigerate or freeze them if you don't plan to use them in the near future. Most kids will gawk at seeing the very same dish at the next meal, so dress it up in a different form. They'll be impressed at your creativity and will be more understanding towards leftovers the next time! At restaurants, ask the waiter to pack any leftovers, so you can reheat and reuse them at home.

6. Read Labels

This is great for older kids who can read. Ask them to check the expiry date of every product you buy, so that you know you'll be able to finish it before that day. Preteens can also read the ingredient list to understand facts about how much sugar, fiber and fat are in a food item, so they can make wise choices and choose organic whenever possible.

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Another great way to educate kids is when you're having a party at home, especially if it's the child's birthday. Ask him about the number of friends he'll have over and involve him in the discussion about how much food to make. He'll learn valuable skills about estimation and balance in the process.

These changes might seem too simple and small, but when every child learns not to waste food, it means a huge change in the food dynamics in our country. If you can, get them to volunteer at an NGO, so that they can see firsthand how important every food choice they make is. This festive season, ensure that your family prepares only as much food as is required and does not waste any. uIndia wishes everyone a Happy Diwali!