How to stop food waste and start community building

 

Meals on Wheels volunteers Doug McIllwaith & grandson, Carter unloading insulated food delivery bags/Stephen Llewellyn

I recently read about Fredericton’s Clara Neilsen, a 4th grade student at École des   Bâtisseurs, and her cupcake campaign in support of Grace House, the city’s shelter for homeless women.  The spirit of giving in one so young is a lesson for all.

That got me thinking about food in general, and all the food waste that takes place in local grocery stores across the province; across the country.  On so many levels it’s  wrong for us, as supposedly intelligent human beings, to stand by and let that happen. Yes, let it happen. 

Children are living in poverty. Men and women across the age spectrum have lost jobs due to the pandemic. Many have had to modify how they work at what they were trained to do. Others with diploma in hand were stopped in their tracks when COVID brought their job seeking to a screeching halt. All have one thing in common — food insecurity. Hunger. Worry. Illness. Loneliness. Challenges to mental/emotional wellness. 

Poor nutrition impacts all aspects of our lives but we tend not to pay enough attention to it. When one doesn’t have the financial means to meet even the most basic of needs so many of us take for granted, it’s no wonder that nerves are frayed. Those least able to cope with these insults to daily living are the very young and the very old. That being so, it’s important for those ‘in the middle’ to step up their game and get more involved in  DOING for their community and contributing to the wellness of those outside their world. 

I frequently share my experience with food and what healthy eating does for my body as I age with the neurological disability of cerebral palsy; promient with all meals — fruits and vegetables. They’re expensive, yet grocery stores, department stores with food sections, restaurants and others, routinely throw away perfectly good produce. Many grocery stores give food away; legally donating it. There needs to be a lot more of that. Food banks can’t accept anything that is close to expiration date, so it gets tossed out. 

Teams of volunteers could easily rally, after getting guidance from ‘city fathers’ as to how to proceed, and reroute food headed for dumpsters to agencies that feed the hungry and the homeless. Even in these COVID times, people can still contribute to their community with initiatives that have potential to strengthen lives, to save lives.

All the fruit and veg that supermarkets throw out at end of day could be turned into take-out salad for seniors or lunch meals for the homeless in a street  outreach initiative, which  would contribute to correcting course on several fronts. 

Adults with learning  disabilities, already in training programs, could be brought in, with COVID safety protocols in place, to package salads for seniors and others. Job seekers who are currently unemployed could volunteer to deliver salads.  Perhaps local car dealerships would donate used vehicles. COVID protocols would  be maintained with door-to-door delivery. After all, the product has cleared inspections before going on store shelves and display cases. Those young people and even older persons with intellectual disabilities who have been emotionally frustrated with loss of daily activities of jobs programs or training center programs would benefit from new visions that are born out of common needs for goods, services and people connection.

Inexpensive advertising campaigns could generate lots of interest which essentially speaks to the growing need within communities across the province and across the country. A ‘salad for seniors’ scheme could be an adjunct to already existing programs like Meals on Wheels and Meals to Wheels, both of which always need volunteers.

Expanding on the need for a salad for seniors door to door nutrition program, the over 60+ set living on their own with no regular daily supports would benefit from salads; seafood salads, in the absence of allergy to shellfish, do a body good. Omega-3 fatty acids  enhance cardiovascular health and contribute to alleviating mood disorder symptoms like anxiety and depression. As well, omega fatty acid reduces blood pressure. 

Anything that has potential to break the back of food waste at the grocery stores while benefiting those challenged by depressed finances impacting food security is a win-win.

All of us continue to be challenged by COVID fatigue but we must stay the course and be vigilant. Serving the community that serves us requires so little time and effort and really does mean a lot to those who struggle; addressing food waste is a good place to start. Make those calls. 

You and you and you make WE.

Carla MacInnis Rockwell is a freelance writer and disability rights advocate living outside Fredericton, NB with Miss Lexie, a rambunctious Maltese and Mr. Malcolm, the boisterous Havanese. She can be reached via email at Carla MacInnis Rockwell

Seniors looking to stay healthy should put nutrition first

A favourite spot in the grocery store

        Back to regularly scheduled weekly physiotherapy sessions, life at Chez Rockwell continues to focus on health and wellness. I’ve been reading about folks anxious to return to the gym but question how impractical that may be in these COVID times; it would be difficult to maintain social distancing and wearing a mask while working out may prove to be problematic for those with breathing problems like asthma. 

  An at-home workout regimen is doable but it requires a commitment of time each and every day in order to reap and maintain long-term benefits. As minimalist as my own exercise routine is, it has ensured my strength and stamina hold up in support of my continued safe ambulation. The fact that I was not injured when I fell is testament to that.

Calcium, Vitamin D and Omega-3 supplements have all been shown to improve bone strength and for me, maintaining density is key to guaranteeing that I can continue putting one foot in front of the other with confidence and security.  For close to 40 years, I’ve taken several supplements, morning and night, with only one prescription medication  — Synthyroid. All taken with lots of water. Be sure to check with your doctor to determine if any supplements you take might negatively impact prescription medications.

Sufficient hydration is critical to bone integrity and I do enjoy thrice daily mugs of hot lemon water with clove and honey. We absolutely must ensure that we drink enough water each and every day, especially during these isolating times. Also, ensure that seniors in your world are sufficiently hydrating with water. That daily practice contributes to mental acuity; a dry brain is a confused brain.

Trying new recipes ensures that I consume a wide range of fruit and vegetables every day. Veggies are high in Vitamin C which stimulate production of  bone-forming cells. As well, that extra C load through nutrition, provides an antioxidant effect which protects bone cells from damage. Bone density is boosted through daily servings of  vegetables. To inspire eating more of them, try roasting on a sheet pan. I often prepare a blend of  veggies, shake in a bag with a bit of olive oil and seasoning spice like roasted pepper and garlic.  The toaster oven is perfect for cooking 1-2 serving meals, and a great way for the home alone senior to maintain the daily recommended nutrition load. 

Fruits and vegetables have been a significant part of my diet all of my life; important for person with challenges to health and wellness. Many studies on health and nutrition illustrate that daily consumption of a variety of fruits and vegetables is a boon to women’s health; interestingly, consumption of onions has been found to lower the risk of osteoporosis. If you haven’t tried a baked onion, you must — they’re really good. Then there’s roasted cabbage, broccoli and carrots. All  contribute to strong bones. If you’re going to supplement, consult with  your doctor about how much and how often, but the best sources are found in food.

A good balance of protein and calcium is important for maintaining bone density, which allow us to have a healthier and happier quality of life.  Again, I say — if you’re on a fixed income and find healthy eating is taking too big a bite out of your budget, consider sharing the cost with a few COVID-clear friends with whom you can enjoy frequent meals. Such social networking  contributes to mental/emotional health which has been put a risk, particularly within certain segments of the population.

Smoothies are a daily feature of my health and wellness plan given that calcium is the most important mineral for bone health. Because old bone cells are constantly broken down and replaced by new ones, it’s important to consume calcium daily to protect bone structure and strength; daily recommended is 1,000mg/day. Consult with your physician about what is right for you.

Eating to live and living to eat is the way I roll. I love to experiment with different cooking methods to ensure variety. Variety allows us to more easily stick to a nutrition plan that will keep us healthy. Ensure that Vitamin D load is sufficient to accommodate your aging body. Diseases such as osteoporosis are implicated in many falling fractures and breaks. If there’s a family history of disease, it’s vital that one top up the D through nutrition and supplementing. A bone break can disconnect you from family and friends with hospital stays, rehab, followed by at home rest. All of that compounds inherent stress.

So for me, my days begin and end in the same way; spine stretching and bone strengtening flexes at my bedside. Yours can, too. Get moving! Stay safe.

Carla MacInnis Rockwell is a freelance writer and disability rights advocate living outside Fredericton, NB with Miss Lexie, a rambunctious Maltese and Mr. Malcolm, the boisterous Havanese. She can be reached via email at Carla MacInnis Rockwell