Today is World Food Day, celebrated October 16 each year. For 2021, messaging revolves around how our actions become our future. Check out the FAO WFD website for highlights of Food Heroes from around the world -- individuals who work to bring cultural, affordable foods to people and to reduce hunger.
When pondering food security in the world, we often thing of food that is sustainable and accessible -- financially available; found where we are; culturally appropriate. Food deserts occur when little to no food is available in a community whether a small town or neighbourhood in a city. Transportation is required to get to another area in order to purchase food from a bedega, large grocery store or fast food restaurant. Affordability creates food access difficulties for about 3 billion people across the globe-- and yes, this is in our our own neighbourhoods and not just in some far off country. About 1/3 of food is produced by small scale farmers despite difficulties with access to technology, finances, and getting paid far less than what they need to break even -- in all countries -- all while some corporate entities make obscene profits. The agri-food sector employs large portions of the populace -- many paid minimal wages with few benefits.
How can we do anything to help with this global situation? In the words of Ghandi, "Be the change you want to see in the world." Every time we choose a food to eat, we make a statement of what kind of world we want to live in. We should focus on less processed foods for health reasons -- our health and environmental health. Less packaging waste means less for landfills and pollution even if we can compost or recycle parts of it. Choose foods grown closer to home. This local factor will reduce transportation costs and will support micro-enterprises in your own community. Support local community gardens. Advocate for food plants to be grown with flowering planats around public buildings.We do this in my town along Main Street and around the town library. Anyone can harvest what they can use or tend the plants as they grow. A big focus is to choose a more plant-based diet. Add more vegetables, fruit, and plant proteins to the meal rotation at home or from restaurants. Begin with one meatless meal weekly and then add a few more. Lots of great recipes sites exist out there to help support us make such small daily changes. Supper here was a great tofu stir-fry. <smile>
Settling on a song today took me some time. Many have a line or two here and there that somewhat fit the day. I did manage to choose one song for its title and the core values of assisting others and making the world a better place. The theme behind the song had begun before the pandemic, though the lyrics reflect much of the challenges of the past many months. The artist has started three restaurants that provide people with culinary skills for future jobs. Customers pay for meals or do some volunteer work in exchange for a meal voucher. People are seated with others they may not know from the neighbourhood. It is truly a community building project that addresses hunger and poverty. For that reason it fits. The pandemic related lyrics and visuals also fit, since food distribution to those sheltering in place became paramount. Keep safe. Enjoy!
Do What You Can -- Jon Bon Jovi & Jennifer Nettles
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