October 16th was World Food Day. World Food Day is annually held on October 16 to commemorate the founding of the United Nations’ (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Each year has a different theme. This year’s message is “Climate is changing. Food and agriculture must too.”
On Oct 5th 2016, Bill C-231, a private members bill introduced by Ruth Ellen Brosseau (Berthier-Maskinongé), the New Democrat agriculture critic, seeking to develop a national strategy to reduce food waste in Canada as well as a national food waste awareness day was defeated in the House of Commons. Bill C-231 called for implementation of the Fight Against Food Waste Act, which would comprise a national day of awareness about food waste; and, a national strategy aimed at raising public awareness of food waste, putting tools in place to help consumers reduce food waste; facilitating donation of blemished but edible food to community organizations and food banks, studying various ways to reduce the environmental impact of the production of unused food resources, and establishing food waste reduction targets.
While Bill C-231 was defeated, Ms Brosseau put a spotlight on two issues food waste and loss, and food insecurity both complex problems in our society that urgently need multiple solutions and actions.
Climate is changing. Food and agriculture must too…but so must we as citizens of this planet.
Here are some things you can do:
*support small local farms by buying locally grown and insisting that local farms are an valued part of your sustainable community
*conserve water
* feed the soil
*keep soil and water clean
*Create businesses that use food that may otherwise be wasted
*buy only what you will use (recognize there is a difference between need and want)
*support humanitarian outreach, development investment and policy interventions that enhance resilience for communities effected by climate change
* buy fair trade products
* reduce your waste
While World Food Day was Oct 16 the issues of food, waste, food insecurity, climate change are issues that we face daily around the globe. We can be part of the solution rather than part of the problem.