By Sarah Park
This world has a lot of needs- sometimes it can feel overwhelming. It’s hard to imagine how normal people like us can make a difference.
We might not all be diplomats, aid workers or world leaders, but at World Vision, we’re convinced that a hunger-free world is possible and takes all of us!
This month we’re launching a campaign built on that belief. There is enough food for all, but children and families still face difficulties accessing good and nutritious food.
Here’s what we’re cooking: A planet brimming with nutritious food available to all, and a brighter future for the 795 million people who are currently food insecure.
How can you help? We’ve gathered 10 unique ingredients for food activism to help you celebrate nourishing food. These life ingredients take care of the earth and share the bounty with the most vulnerable in our global community.
Together we can move towards a hunger-free world where everyone has a seat at the global table. Here’s how:
1. Care about nutrition
It’s not about the quantity, it’s about the quality. When we make good decisions about what goes into our bodies, we are able to celebrate foods that not only support our muscles, eyesight, and mental health, but also advocates for good nutrition around the world.
2. Grow your own herbs, fruit and vegetables
Planting a garden is not only great for the earth, but you get fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs! It’s a win-win situation for everyone.
3. Buy produce from local farmers
The average Canadian meal travels 3,000 km before reaching your plate, putting a lot of additional carbon into the air. Reduce your carbon footprint by buying local when possible.
Farmers are superheroes. Eating closer to home not only reduces the transportation costs, but supports the farmers who are working towards sustainable production.
4. Aim for zero food waste
A third of all the world’s food, about 1.3 billion tons, is wasted each year. Did you know that eggs are good for three to five weeks after their expiration date? And for vegetables that wilt in the fridge, try soaking them in a bowl of ice water, and watch them crisp back to life.
5. Compost food scraps
Healthy soil = Healthy plants to eat! By transforming our food and yard waste into compost, we are depositing precious nutrients back into the soil.
6. Use reusable kitchenware & reduce plastic consumption
One of the ways you can keep food fresh is by packaging it in reusable glass or food coverings. We love using things like
Canadian-made Abeego beeswax food wrap to cover food. Washable cloth napkins are great, instead of paper products. They also add some colourful personality to your kitchen!
7. Share meals & cook with others instead of eating out or ordering in
When you order takeout food, the packaging makes a big dent in our sustainability. And restaurants are notorious for food waste.
So host a dinner party, because food is even more delicious when shared with family, friends and your new neighbour! Whatever you choose to make, we’re positive it will taste better together.
8. Explore your community & volunteer
In every community, there are people experiencing hunger. You can make a very real impact by supporting and volunteering with your local food bank, soup kitchen and other hunger related programs.
9. Purchase fair trade food items
When you buy fair trade you’re saying, “What I buy matters. It affects someone, somewhere.” Buying fair-trade ensures that farmers and workers receive a fair price and have a voice in how their workplace is run. Check out this film of Hugh Jackman’s encounter with one of those farmers, a coffee-grower named Dukale.
10. Support those in countries struggling with hunger
Right now, 34 million people in Africa are experiencing the worst humanitarian crisis in decades. That’s nearly the entire population of Canada!
Failed rains and violence have cost many families in Somalia, South Sudan, Kenya and Ethiopia their household farms, water sources and daily food. Most of us can’t imagine what it is like to not have a single item of food in our homes. To World Vision, that means that we have a responsibility to help, by
donating and
spreading the word about our global neighbours in need.
These are just some of the ways you can be a part of the #hungerfree movement. But like any good recipe, we hope you feel empowered to make it with ingredients that are right for you. Bon Appetit!