Empty Plates : Why are they empty and how
to fill them
Background
The concept of food security consists of six key points: availability, access, utilization, stability,
agency, and sustainability. Food insecurity is closely linked to a range of health issues in both
adults and children. It stems from several factors, including climate change, which disrupts
food supplies; poverty and unemployment, which limit financial access to food; and systemic
racism and discrimination, which create barriers to economic opportunities. Additionally,
urbanization exacerbates the problem by increasing living costs and reducing access to
affordable, nutritious food in city areas. The concept of food security consists
Worldwide
Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, hunger and food scarcity has been soaring. Reportedly,
between 691 and 783 million people faced hunger in 2022, representing an increase of 122
million people compared to 2019. Apart from hunger 2.4 billion people have faced moderate
to severe food hunger and insecurity, 900 million people faced severe food insecurity, 3.1
billion people could not afford a healthy diet, and many children under five are suffering from
malnutrition. The war between Russia and Ukraine also led to 119 million more people
undernourished. Urbanization challenges include the availability of unhealthy fast food, lack of
fresh produce, exclusion of small farmers, and loss of natural capital due to urban expansion.
India
Despite being a major food producer with various food security schemes in place, India faces
significant challenges with food insecurity, hunger, and child malnutrition. In the Global
Hunger Index 2024, India ranks 111th out of 125 countries. Factors such as poverty, lack of
clean drinking water, and poor hygiene contribute to malnutrition, although these links are not
always conclusively established. The limited number of studies on food insecurity in India
further restricts our understanding of the issue. Currently, there appears to be no published
systematic review specifically addressing household food insecurity in India. Notably, high
rates of child stunting and wasting are evident, which may be related to inadequate hygiene
and contaminated food and water.
Ways to Prevent
While it may seem that individual actions alone cannot completely eliminate hunger and food
scarcity, there are several impactful steps you can take to contribute to the solution. One
crucial action is to minimize food wastage; this includes being mindful of portion sizes,
properly storing food, and creatively using leftovers to ensure that less food is thrown away.
Additionally, donating surplus food to local food banks, shelters, or community kitchens can
directly support those in need and help address immediate hunger issues.
Supporting organizations and charities dedicated to fighting hunger is also essential. Many of
these groups work tirelessly to provide meals, improve food distribution systems, and
advocate for policy changes. By contributing financially or through in-kind donations, you can
help them continue their important work.
Moreover, volunteering in community organizations that focus on food security and hunger
relief can make a significant difference. Engaging with these groups not only aids in their
operations but also helps spread awareness about the issue. Educating others about the
importance of reducing food waste and supporting food security initiatives amplifies the
collective effort and encourages more people to get involved.
Participating in community outreach programs and fundraising events can further enhance
your impact. These activities help raise awareness, generate support, and foster a sense of
collective responsibility towards addressing food scarcity. By working together, we can create
a more informed and compassionate society that actively contributes to solving the global
challenge of hunger.
“In a circular system, the waste of one player is a raw material for
another. For example, a lime that’s too yellow or a carrot that has an
ugly shape may not fit the criteria of a supermarket but is perfectly
healthy for human consumption.
Through Get Wasted we create an incentive for both food suppliers
and producers to actively revalorise these surpluses. The social
sector also has little to no access to food surpluses such as schools,
social kitchens as well as care homes and hospitals. We can make
these food surpluses available to them at a social price point.”
-Yana Pannecoucke, Programme Manager, Get Wasted