Earth Day and Food Waste

Written 4/22/13:

Today is designated as the day we celebrate our planet and begin to make changes in our lives to make our world better for today and tomorrow. However, each day it is becoming more difficult as we are heading toward rapid population growth and food shortages all over the world. Because of this, major corporations are cashing in and using biotechnology as a means to produce a crop that will withstand drought and insect damage.

The only thing we can really do is make sure that our own food supply is not tainted with artificial additives and our vegetables are not GMO's. One way we can do this is be a part of the change by not wasting food.

At some points in our lives we have wasted food. I am guilty of this, despite being vegan and food conscious. I bought two eggplants that I was supposed to cook and they are turning soft and wrinkled. I bought bread a while ago that I forgot I was supposed to refrigerate, because it's organic. The other day I made a sandwich with the bread and it turned out that it was covered with mold. I got really sick from my mistake of not doing my part of buying only what I need and ended up discarding slices of bread that could have made three sandwiches.

Food waste is a serious problem in the West and this problem contributes to the millions of people in the world that could have a bite to eat.

Here are ways to save money and end food waste:

1. Set a budget according to number of people in household, income and schedule during the week. For example, a one person household with a college budget could probably spend at most $40 a week on groceries. I try to spend no more than $20 on groceries.

2. Make a list of favorite foods: I made a list a while ago of all the foods I like and that list is evergrowing.

3.Try not to eat out when possible. Packing lunches is hard to remember, easy to forget.

4. Think about the kind of grocery stores you get your food from. Try to shop different places that are the least expensive and most accessible for healthy organic foods.

5. Farmer's Market trips: Farmer's markets are the best places to get inexpensive, local and in-season produce and they are usually held once or twice a week.

6. Make use of leftovers: on a budget, leftovers are your best friend. Just make sure they are not spoiled.

7. Gow vegetables at home if possible: Chain grocery stores tend to spray pesticides and other chemicals onto fruits and vegetables. Growing produce at home ensures that the food you eat is fresh and one hundred percent natural.