Last week at Ikea, I noticed on the cleaning rack that there was almost not one single plate which did not have food wastage. I’m not referring to one extra spoon but to whole portions. This Easter, there is going to be similar wastage and excess while others, and especially children around the world go hungry.
This worldwide problem seems so huge and so daunting that most people feel they cannot help or actually make a difference. I defy that theory and believe that we need to look at this in terms of global wastage. On average, almost 180kg of food per person is thrown away. Another sad statistic is that Cyprus in 2016, fell behind in implementing the directive on the reduction of green waste in landfills.
So, what can be done? There are various steps each and every family can take but the primary one is to make less food. Easter is traditionally a time when excess is taken to new heights and the hospitals are full of people suffering from indigestion. What a nauseating situation to be in!
I would like to urge people to make less food, or arrange for families who are getting together, to co-ordinate and make quantities for the number of people who will be around the table to ensure the food is finished. Train your children to only take the portion they can manage, and if there is excess, keep it for the next day.
Restaurants too need to address food wastage. Why serve such large portions? Make them smaller and charge less. So many studies have shown that profits will not be reduced but instead increased.
A big subject which I will be tackling over the next months in more detail. I welcome all your comments about what can be done, individually, as companies and as a nation to make a difference! Let’s do it together…Happy Easter everyone.
