“Daal?” Zain questioned with disappointment. “What else...?”

His mother looked at him curiously, “There are also fried ladyfingers and potatoes.”

“But, mum…,” Zain protested, “I don’t really enjoy lentils and vegetables.”

His mother, with a concern for reducing food waste, gently reminded him, “Zain, it’s important to appreciate and utilise all the ingredients we have. It helps us reduce food waste and make the most of what we have. Plus, it’s good for your health to have a balanced diet. You can’t just stick to meat all the time.”

However, Zain’s disappointment was evident as he only helped himself to the fried potatoes, ignoring all the other items on the dining table.

This is a very common situation that happens almost in every household. And I am sure this situation resonates with your own experiences. If so, this article isn’t meant to lecture you about eating healthy or making specific dietary choices. Instead, it’s a reminder for all of us who may not fully grasp the significance of food in our lives. Food is a fundamental necessity, a lifeline that we often take for granted. Without it, our existence is impossible.

The world observed World Food Waste Day on September 29 as the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste. However, with World Food Day just around the corner on October 16, an annual occasion dedicated to promoting global awareness and taking action against hunger, let’s not miss the opportunity to underscore the vital role that food plays in our lives and the lives of all living things on earth. This year’s theme is ‘water — food for water, water for food’.

Water and food are two things we often take for granted, but their connection runs much deeper than we might realise. In fact, it’s a simple truth: where there’s water, there’s food; where there’s no water, there’s no food. As you inherit the planet, it’s crucial to understand this connection.

Water: the catalyst for food production

You may have never thought of water like this before in your life, but believe it or not, kids, water is an unsung hero behind the food we love to eat. Whether it’s the fruits, veggies, grains or meats on your plate, or even the chocolate you eat or the chips you love to munch; they all have one thing in common — they rely on water in their production. Agriculture, the backbone of our food system, depends on water to nurture crops and sustain livestock. How? Let’s take a deeper look inside the chain.

Livestock and farming

Water isn’t just essential for crops; it’s also a key player in livestock farming and aquaculture. Livestock farming includes the raising of animals like chickens, cows, goats, sheep and many other cattle, that provide us with meat, dairy products and other essential protein sources.

Their well-being and productivity depend on water availability as they require ample amounts of clean water for drinking and overall development. Dairy cows, for example, can consume several gallons of water each day. Inadequate access to water can lead to reduced milk production, weight loss and health issues.

Moreover, many animal feeds are derived from crops, such as grains and forage crops, which themselves require water to grow. So, the water used in growing feed crops contributes to the overall water footprint of meat and dairy products.

In aquaculture, the source of water for aquaculture operations, such as ponds, tanks or open water bodies, directly influences the success of the farm. Access to clean and reliable water sources is crucial for maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems and the production of safe and sustainable seafood.

So, for the wonderful world of farming, animals and even the underwater world of aquaculture, water is like the magical ingredient that keeps everything alive and thriving!

Balancing things out!

Maintaining a balance between water and food isn’t just about consumption, it’s about conservation. By understanding the water-food relationship and taking action to protect it, you can make a real difference in building a more sustainable, food-secure world for yourself and for the generations to come.

However, we can’t forget that water isn’t unlimited and we shouldn’t just assume it’ll always be there for us. So, it’s essential to be mindful of the right way to use water and not waste it. That way, we’re helping to save these important resources and there will be enough for everyone.

How we waste precious food and water!

Food waste is when we throw away edible stuff instead of eating it. It happens everywhere, from the farms where food grows to the restaurants we visit. But let’s talk about us only.

Imagine your mum gave you a healthy snack for school, like an egg sandwich and some carrots. You were really hoping for a chocolate bar or a yummy piece of cake, right? So, you took a tiny bite, had a sip of water, and put the snack back in your bag, forgetting all about it. That’s food waste!

Or let’s say you got an apple for your snack, and you ate half of it and threw the rest in the bin. That’s food waste, too!

Even the last few bites of your sandwich, or the leftovers from breakfast, lunch, and dinner — all come under the category of food waste if it is not consumed and end up in the bin. And it’s not just about the food itself; it’s also about all the work, water, and energy that went into making that food.

So, when we waste food, we’re also wasting our planet’s precious resources, water and energy that went into growing, producing and bringing it into the final shape of the food on our plate or in our lunch boxes.

Costly waste

Food waste can also have a great impact on your parents’ pocket. Many of us visit those fancy malls with awesome mini-marts and lots of yummy-looking pre-packaged food. It’s so tempting that sometimes we end up buying more than we need, thinking we’ll enjoy it with tea, as a nighttime snack, or for some other time.

Guess, what often happens? When snack time rolls around, we’re not in the mood, so the food sits there, only half eaten or maybe not at all. And at night, we’re so full that we totally forget about the extra food we bought. Don’t you think our parents’ money went down the drain?

Over-ordering at restaurants

Even though we hear from our elders that the times are really tough and we should all take care of how we spend our money. But when it comes to dining at restaurants, we get so excited that we order more food than we can finish. We pack it and take home; the food stays in the fridge for a few days and then it is thrown in the bins, which is not only wasteful, but also a waste of money.

Cooking more than needed

As a child, you might not be directly involved in cooking, but having knowledge about preparing excessive amounts of food can help you understand a common practice. People often cook extra food with the intention of having leftovers for the next day, which is a smart idea. However, occasionally, they prepare such a surplus that it surpasses our ability to consume it all, leading to wastage when it eventually gets discarded.

These examples show how food waste happens in our everyday lives, and remember it is not just the food we throw that is wasted, but also all the water and other resources that were used in growing and producing that food.

Bring change, take responsibility!

Yes, you can do several things to help reduce food waste, it will not only help the environment but also save your parents’ money. So, kids, it’s time to get serious, because food and water waste is an urgent issue for a bunch of the following reasons:

Fighting hunger in our own backyard

It is a sad fact that many people, even those close to us, like the watchmen, guards and gardeners we know, don’t have enough food to feed their families. Inflation has made their lives harder. They often don’t have enough to eat, because everything is costly nowadays.

We’re lucky to have plenty of food and, therefore, we can help. Remember, there are people around us who go to bed hungry. Don’t let those leftovers sit in the fridge; share them promptly.

Stop taking large portions of meals

Imagine a table full of yummy treats that make your tummy rumble with excitement! You scoop up heaps of delicious food onto your plate, but halfway through, your tummy says, “Whoa, I’m full!”

Uh-oh, now you’ve got a plate still full of uneaten food.

To avoid this, start with a little bit, gobble it up, and if your tummy still growls for more, go ahead and fill up some more. That way, you can enjoy every bite without any food going to waste. No leftovers, at all!

Remember the golden rule, that parents often say: ‘Finish what’s on your plate, don’t let it go to waste!’ When you’re all done and can’t eat anymore, be responsible with your leftovers. Saving them for the next meal leads to reduced food waste and you can enjoy that meal again.

Plan meals

Usually, mums have to think about what to buy and cook. You can be a big help by helping her plan meals together. This way, you can make sure to buy only the things you want to eat, and thus avoid food going bad or getting thrown away.

Compassion for stray animals and birds

Most often there are leftover chappatis at home, before tossing it into the bin, take a moment to reflect on the effort that went into making it: the whole wheat, water, gas and your mother’s energy and time. Take responsibility for reminding your mother to give it to you so that you tear it into pieces and place it in an open area. This simple act can provide food to hungry dogs, cats, crows and many other birds.

To sum it up, food and water are like the dynamic duo of nature. Our food, like fruits, veggies and grains, needs water to grow big and strong. And when we enjoy these delicious meals, water helps us stay strong and full of energy. So, let’s cherish this fantastic teamwork between food and water, and always use them wisely to keep ourselves and our planet healthy and happy!

Published in Dawn, Young World, October 14th, 2023