FOOD WASTE
1. Governments, private organizations and individuals do to address food waste ?
a. Individuals
Plan Meals:
Planning at least a few meals for each week is a great way to ensure you have
healthy meals. It also prevents you from buying too much food because you feel
like you need to be prepared for anything. Coordinate your meals so you aren't
using completely different ingredients for every recipe.
Store Food Properly:
Keep food in the right place (fridge, pantry) to make it last longer. Use airtight
containers to store food in the fridge or pantry. This will help keep food fresh for
longer. Store fruits and vegetables properly. Some fruits and vegetables release
gases that can spoil other produce. For example, apples and bananas should not
be stored near avocados or tomatoes. Freeze food before it goes bad. Many fruits,
vegetables, and leftovers can be frozen ( đc đông lạnh) and used at a later date.
Regularly check your fridge and pantry for items that are close to their expiration
date.
Use Leftovers:
Create new meals with leftover food instead of throwing it away. Plan for at least
one leftover night each week. This will help you use up any leftovers and reduce
food waste. Consider the season when planning meals. Get creative with
leftovers. Use them as ingredients in new meals or combine them to create a new
dish. Portion out ( chia ) leftovers into individual servings. This will make it
easier to grab a quick lunch or dinner on busy days
b. Government
Can develop some action plans to raise consumers’ awareness of food
appreciation and becoming a more conscious consumer & mindful eater. This
could be done by getting people involved in global food campaigns. In regards to
food retailers, they can lend a helping hand by distributing posters or flyers to
every single customer when they come across any shopping mall, food
supermarket, etc., or sticking posters on the restaurants to encourage customers to
use food economically. These mentioned measures can definitely help shape a
sustainable future.
[Link] organizations
The first solution, already used by multiple restaurants, is to donate the extra
food. Homeless shelters, orphanages, or even the employees themselves would
greatly appreciate the food. Many restaurants in rural areas even feed the waste
veggies to their farmed animals, like cows and pigs. However, to prevent food
waste from happening in the first place, restaurants need to avoid over-preparing
food. Large-scale restaurants can afford to survey how their customer flow
fluctuates with different factors to predict how many portions they should make
each day. Businesses can also design better menus to minimize potential food
waste. For example, menus that have multiple dishes that share common
ingredients can reduce material waste.
2. Food waste impact
a. Environment
The production of food that is not consumed has a significant impact on the
environment. When food waste decomposes in landfills, it produces methane, a
potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. Additionally, The resources
used to produce, transport, and store food, such as water, energy, and land, are
wasted when food is discarded. (Wasting food means wasting the resources used
to produce it, such as water, land, and energy). For example, a significant amount
of freshwater is used in agriculture, and wasting food also means wasting this
vital resource.
b. Society
Food waste significantly impacts food insecurity. Despite the abundance of food
produced globally, millions of people still go hungry every day. The food wasted
in developed countries could potentially feed many of those in need.
Redistributing surplus food to those who are food insecure can help alleviate
hunger and improve public health outcomes.
[Link]
3. Brain food
Brain food refers to the nutrients and foods that have a positive impact on brain
health and cognitive function. For example, fatty fish, which is rich in omega 3 fatty
acids, which are essential for slow age-related mental, brain health and development.
Besides, omega 3 is also linked to improved cognitive function and a reduced risk of
diseases related to brains.
Another example: Compared to milk chocolate, dark chocolate generally has a
lower sugar content. Dark chocolate contains several essential nutrients beneficial
for brain health. It is a good source of magnesium, which plays a role in various
neurological processes. Additionally, consuming dark chocolate has been linked to
mood improvement and stress reduction. (The moderate consumption of dark
chocolate can act as a delightful mood enhancer, promoting a positive mental state.)