Waste Not Want Not

Scott Uria

Professor Kelly

ENC 1102

March 19, 2013

Waste Not Want Not

            Hey Mom, is dinner ready? At some point in most of our childhood, we have asked that question.  Unfortunately there are many children in our country that are lucky to receive a hot meal once a week. The United States is the wealthiest country in the world, so why do we have hungry families? There are many countries that does not have the benefit of overstocked food and a government that could help. I feel that poverty exist because our government and society as a whole have failed them. During a recent documentary I reviewed called Dive, this film brought to light of the food waste that seems to be a common practice by many food chain stores. Instead of waste, what could be done with all that food?

            According to an article by Tom Hudson, dumpster diving is on the rise across the states. Those diving are not finding trash, but perfectly good food. Every city has food banks to help feed the homeless and families in need, so why not provide to those outlets? There are some great individuals that are crusading for this cause, so this issue is now getting the attention it deserves. But should it be just up to the community to speak on this waste issue? Our elected politicians seem to make things happen when it benefits them. If they need a new gold faucet for their 1,200 square foot bathroom, it’s done! If the people who voted the politicians in office need help to feed their families, politicians will place it on the back burner and considered not important. Wouldn’t it be nice if our government passed a law that forbids food chain stores from throwing out perfectly good food into dumpsters, and mandate that the food be donated to food banks instead? Maybe our country would be able to rest at night knowing that every American has been fed.

            I wanted to look into another country and their poverty level. That country would be Bolivia, the other half of my heritage. It appears that 60% of 9.1 million in population lives in poverty (N.Y Times). Despite increasing revenues from gas and oil, Bolivia remains the most hunger afflicted country in South America. I lived in Bolivia as a young baby, and as I got older I can recall my mother telling me how most of the meals consisted of rice and corn, and were never in large portions. The bright spot was that we never had to go without, but there were many who were not so lucky.

            Throughout my military career, I have traveled to several countries. In many of those countries, eating a simple hamburger would be a luxury. There were several kids that would go behind people as they threw away their trash in search of left over scraps. I really wished I could help by purchasing a meal for a kid, but I knew that would open up the flood gates. If other children seen a child receiving a meal, the kids would be on me like fleas. Instead I would just wave and keep moving.

            Hunger and food waste is a big issue in America. It’s not just a food chain problem, it’s a household problem. Many of us have thrown out food that we never used. Yes, I am guilty! There have been several times where I went grocery shopping and purchased more than I actually needed. I catch myself preaching to my children that the food they leave on their plate could feed families in other parts of the world.  If we just start with ourselves by not wasting, maybe one day the regulations will change on food chain stores. I would like to close with a scripture that seems to tie right in with this topic. “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” – Matthew 25:35

                                                                    Works Cited

Dive. Perf. Jeremy Seifert. 2010.

Fantz, Ashley. (2013): n. pag. CNN. Web.

Hudson, Tom. "Dumpster Diving." Editorial. Dec. 2012: n. pag. Print.

Matthew. King James Version. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.