Thursday, April 7, 2011

On Food

"If there are so many starving kids, give this to them", said my son pushing his plate away.

"Let him be", advised the father. "What are you trying to prove?"

Yes indeed. What was I trying to prove? How will my kids clearing their plates make any difference to a starving child?

Actually it would. If we don't waste food, we consume fewer resources. Lower demand pushes down prices, making food marginally more affordable to people living at the edge of starvation.

Or you could order one pizza less and use the money to feed a child for a month.
_____
drabble is a story told in exactly 100 words.

And here is the story of a girl who's meals I sponsored for a month for the cost of a pizza.


Last years' post - F is for Fighting Fat and Fitness

20 comments:

Unknown said...

Food for thought. Thank you.

kjmckendry said...

You are so right. The local school here weighed all the wasted food at lunch. It was an embarrassingly high number. Somehow we need to learn to put a little less on our plates.

Talli Roland said...

That's a fantastic reminder! It's so easy to take the food we have for granted.

Anonymous said...

Clearing your plate won't make a difference. But making less food will, or re-using the leftovers and making sure you don't take so much food that you can't eat it will.

Our schools have been making great efforts to teach kids not to take too much food so that less is thrown away...

Stephanie V said...

Good comment on the waste of resources in our society.

Anonymous said...

Natasha - You are so right! Teaching children to take only what they need, care for others and consider those less fortunate can make a huge difference. Thanks for reminding us that just lighting one candle chases away darkness.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

That's a fresh way of looking at it, because of course we can't send them our extra food.

Marjorie said...

I try to give my kids small portions so there is less waste. Then if they want a little more I can say yes. I hate to waste food, because sometimes I didn't have enough food growing up.

Tiger85 said...

Wonderful post, I like this idea of finding ways to conserve food. =)

http://tigeronmybookshelf.blogspot.com/

Ellie Garratt said...

Definitely a drabble to make the reader think. Excellent.

Ellie Garratt

Barbara said...

Short and sweet! My folks also used that to push food down my throat! I know I'll never do that to my children! It's something to think about! Great post!

Shannon O'Donnell said...

SO powerful a message in so few words. Thanks, Rayna. :-)

nutschell said...

I like that idea about ordering one less pizza and using the money to feed a less fortunate child for a month--less calories in, and more charity out:p
nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com

Chuck said...

Rayna I think you have touched a nerve in everyone who reads this. We all could do more with our "pizza" money.

Kittie Howard said...

Rayna, you've put into a powerful 100 words what sociologists say will tip the scales of power within 50 years: food.

I read some of your previous posts and have to say that I admire how you do all that you do. You're inspirational. Thank you!

Meera said...

You are right about wastage but maybe as a parent, we should serve less too...?

Unknown said...

Very inspirational and thought-provoking. Would that we all think like the son.

Anonymous said...

We get the unsold food from a supermarket to feed our pigs. There is a horrific amount of wastage. Food that is still edible is dumped in the bins.

Laura Eno said...

Excellent drabble as always and much food for thought.

Deb and Barbara said...

*sigh* I know...the statistics on wasted food being able to feed the hungry are downright depressing...
B

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