"The Co-Existence of Food Waste/Insecurity"

The Co-Existence of Food Waste/Insecurity

Kaitlin Kim, Washington State

Introduction
I have always been curious about the co-existence of food waste and food insecurity, and how we could possibly have both problems at the same time. If we have enough food to comfortably feed every single person on this planet, why do we still have people not knowing where their next meal is going to come from, yet 1.3 BILLION pounds of food waste each year? I believe both situations involve many different factors and much larger societal problems. How can I make an actual difference in my community with what I already have and with the people I already know?

Designing the Plan
I began thinking; what if there was a way for people to reduce their food waste and make simple, quick, and nutritious meals that could be given to people facing food insecurity in their same community? For example, I am part of a local church in my community with about 250 members. Out of those 250, we have about 20 senior citizen couples or individuals who have limited mobility, access to grocery stores, and homemade meals. In addition to those folks, we also have about 10 low-income families and individuals facing food insecurity. With just the people I know from my church community, that’s about 60 people I could provide with a warm, nutritious meal.

How Food Can Build Community
I believe that food can be magical. It has to power to bring people together, connect cultures, create new memories and build lasting relationships. It’s attached to memories of our childhoods, our families, our culture, even our challenges and struggles too. By providing people in my community with a warm, nutritious and delicious meal, I have the privilege and opportunity to support the people I care about and who are facing food insecurity, all the while reducing my own family’s food waste.

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Short Description

Introduction 
I have always been curious about the co-existence of food waste and food insecurity, and how we could possibly have both problems at the same time. If we have enough food to comfortably feed every single person on this planet, why do we still have people not knowing where their next meal is going to come from, yet 1.3 BILLION pounds of food waste each year? I believe both situations involve many different factors and much larger societal problems. How can I make an actual difference in my community with what I already have and with the people I already know?
Designing the Plan 
I began thinking; what if there was a way for people to reduce their food waste and make simple, quick, and nutritious meals that could be given to people facing food insecurity in their same community? For example, I am part of a local church in my community with about 250 members. Out of those 250, we have about 20 senior citizen couples or individuals who have limited mobility, access to grocery stores, and homemade meals. In addition to those folks, we also have about 10 low-income families and individuals facing food insecurity. With just the people I know from my church community, that&#8217;s about 60 people I could provide with a warm, nutritious meal. 
How Food Can Build Community 
I believe that food can be magical. It has to power to bring people together, connect cultures, create new memories and build lasting relationships. It&#8217;s attached to memories of our childhoods, our families, our culture, even our challenges and struggles too. By providing people in my community with a warm, nutritious and delicious meal, I have the privilege and opportunity to support the people I care about and who are facing food insecurity, all the while reducing my own family&#8217;s food waste.

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