THE United Nations estimates that, worldwide, about a third of all food produce gets lost or wasted in production and consumption systems.

Almost half of this is the result of consumers and businesses throwing away food still fit for consumption.

The food thrown away by people like you, me, together with businesses is estimated at 1.3 billion tons. It is also said there are roughly 805 million chronically undernourished people.

The 1.3 billion tons is a lot of food that could easily feed all those hungry people.

This makes one wonder what happened to our world that we would be so indifferent to people's desperate needs. Interestingly enough, the majority of these struggling people are in Sub-Saharan Africa.

I have no doubt that if you and I do our part not to waste food, we could make our world a better place where no one has to go to bed hungry or die of hunger.

Food is one of the biggest line items in a budget, usually behind rent, a bond, transport and utilities. It is a necessity you cannot just eliminate from your living expenses.

There are many ways to reduce your food budget without reducing the quality of the food you buy and the meals you make. Here are a few tried and tested tips to follow

• Stop wasting food:

Each time you throw food in the bin it is like throwing money down the drain. Figure out a way to reduce the amount of food you buy to waste, this will reduce the money you spend on food. Consider cleaning out your fridge regularly.

• Eat less

Most of us eat way too much. Reducing your food portion is one way of saving money. Eating less is simple but effective and it's good for the figure.

• Give up fast food and cook at home

It may appear to be inexpensive to eat fast food in the short-term. But make sure you save a lot of money in the coming years to pay for doctors' bills. Cooking at home will help both your budget and health. If you like eating at nice restaurants, think about the money you are using and decide whether it's worth it.

• Consider starting your own food patch

A food garden is a source of true independence, not money.

• Stop buying junk food. Quit cola drinks, pack your own lunch and buy bulk specials - only when you need the items. Don't buy bulk just because there is a special.
• Be on the lookout for those who are hungry outside your home

An acquaintance who lives in Vosloorus shamefully discovered that her neighbour and daughter often go without food for days through her colleague at work. What happened to our good old-fashioned "ubuntu"?

If you don't have starving neighbours, you can always find needy people in the supermarket. Look out for the person who is busy comparing bread brands and desperately checking for a cheaper price. Greet him/her and offer to buy the bread for them. Watch the surprise and gratitude coming from the recipient.

It makes you realise how blessed you are to have so much when people are struggling to buy a loaf of bread.

Practise these few ideas and our world and country will become a compassionate and compelling place to be.

Thedream@winniekunene.co.za

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