Every year, World Food Day is celebrated around the world on October 16. This day reminds us that food is not just physical energy but also an integral part of culture, society, and life.
The theme of this day in 2025 is ‘Hands in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future’. This theme has been kept in view of the problems of increasing hunger, climate change, and food insecurity around the world. According to the data shared in international reports, more than one billion tons of food is wasted in the world every year, while millions of people suffer from hunger. Thousands of tons of food are also wasted in Pakistan every year. This problem is not only about the wastage of food but also about the wastage of resources. The United Nations Development Goals include a goal to halve global food waste by 2030.
Achieving this goal requires small but effective daily actions, not grand plans, but seven simple procedures.
Meal planning
Plan meals for the week, check the items in the refrigerator before shopping and prepare meals based on them, use the food stored in the refrigerator first so that food is not wasted.
Buy healthy and rare vegetables
Before going for vegetable shopping, we should think about the choice of the family members and a prearranged menu. If we repeated one item for the second consecutive day, it will go to waste. Every grocery item should be included in the vegetables to avoid repetition.
Include yesterday’s leftovers on today’s table
Grind radish leaves and make a chutney or pasta sauce, fry cabbage stalks in a pot, peel the skin from a banana, tear off all the clean leaves from coriander and mint, keep an eye on every little thing, and think about making it usable.
Eat on small plates instead of a big one
Serve small amounts of food, re-order if necessary. Research has shown that small plates reduce food waste by 20 to 25 percent.
Store food properly
Keep green herbs in a glass of water, wrap leafy vegetables in paper, freeze leftovers, and refresh wilted vegetables by putting them in ice water.
Use leftovers in new ways of frying
Last night’s rice can be made into lemon rice or fried rice, rotis can be turned into rolls or tacos, and lentils can be added to soups or paratha batter.
Compost leftovers like bones, tea remnants, instead of throwing
Instead of throwing away tea leaves, coffee grounds, and fruit peels, composting is easily possible on a balcony or small yard as it increases soil fertility. Every snack saved is a ray of hope, when we waste less food, we protect not only our homes but the entire planet. This World Food Day 2025, let’s pledge to shop wisely, eat wisely, and share generously because a better future begins at our own table.
Read alsoEating fruits daily may reduce lung damage caused by air pollution, research finds
