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
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