On September 29, he was declared International Food Loss and Waste Awareness Day, and it is that in developed countries a third of the food we consume is wasted. This is from the food we buy, at least a third of it goes straight to the trash. This image does not fit, at all, with one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focused on responsible production and consumption.
If you want to educate your children not to waste food, we give you a few ideas and resources. But the best way is the example, It is useless to know what to do if it does not start.
Campaigns to raise awareness at school and at home
Different organizations and public entities have been working for years, through educational material and campaigns, to educate children and adults not to waste food. Some of these organizations range from FAO itself to more modest organizations such as PROCLADE, PROYDE, or Madre Coraje. You can consult online, and download in PDF the Practical guide to reduce food waste in educational centers, Buen Aprovecho, that can also be used for your home.
Wasting food has ecological, economic and social repercussions. Every food that ends up in the garbage, that is wasted, is money that is lost and damages the environment. It is essential that families set an example for children, that they learn to value the nutrients that are part of their diet, the value of these in their development.
On the other hand, turn children become a channel to raise awareness and sensitize to other people around them, such as friends, more distant family, school personnel ...
Proposals to educate your children not to waste
So that your children become aware and do not waste food make them part of the process of making the list, going shopping, paying, uploading the purchase, cooking, This way they will understand that it is not only about eating, but that it involves an effort. There is value behind it all. If you also have the opportunity to speak with farmers, ranchers or fishermen, they will give you first-hand information about food production.
When you go with your children to the supermarket, and the offers enter your eyes, ask him if he really likes or wants this or that product, or is it a compulsive buying. Whenever you can buy in bulk. This way you will get an amount closer to what you need, be it a lot or a little. Some bulk products, such as dried legumes, have a very long shelf life.
To help you and your family to know if you are making good use of food there is the Audit for own waste management at home. You may entrust your children with supervision, and know if food is wasted at home.
And before throwing it away consult your environment, You can do it through different apps, such as Too good to go, happy to eat you or I do not waste, if you can donate it.
Almost all of us do it unconsciously, but you have to put a little intention and check pantry, fridge and freezer often. If you prepare a weekly menu, in addition to being balanced, adjust to what you have at home. Learn new recipes and re-use food can be an excuse to make good use of those foods.
When making the purchase keep a list. You can do this together at home. If you can, go to the store more frequently and decrease the purchase volume. We are always going to recommend you to bet on local products, with short, seasonal marketing channels.
Do not discard products that they are in good condition only because they are uglier, because of their color, caliber, size, defective packaging. In this article we are not going to go into assessing why perfection is so far from the natural.
