Even as 194 million sleep on empty stomach every day in our country, India wastes about Rs 88,800 crore worth of food per year, it amounts to Rs 244 crore worth of food a day.
How do we waste food?
About 21 million tonnes of grain is wasted only because we do not have adequate storage facilities to keep it. A major chunk (40 percent) of the total fruit and vegetable produced in the country does not get to the Mandi on time due to lack of proper means of transportation.
According to a report by the Indian Institute of Public Administration, in India every year 23 million tonnes of pulses, 12 million tonnes of fruits and 21 million tonnes of vegetables get spoiled due to flaws in the distribution system.
Have you ever noticed how much food do you waste on day-to-day basis? We tend to forget how valuable food is. Often we forget after keeping fruits and vegetables in the fridge, after several days when we chance to look at it, we have no option but to throw it. Sometimes we prepare more than enough food; a major part of it is thrown away unnecessarily.
Why do we waste …show more content…
The waste of food in weddings, festivals or functions has become commonplace.
In the past, food was served with great affection by family or friends in different ceremonies. Guests used to sit and eat with their family, and were hesitant to leave any unfinished food. Nowadays, there are umpteen number of dishes, chaat-pakodi and different types of ice cream placed on the stalls; people come and make a queue as per their liking. Offering too much variety of items aggravates food waste.
There are generally, two types of waste, one by the people leaving unconsumed food in the plate, and turning up of less than expected guests. Although some of the food that can stay fresh can be distributed or sold in the market, but nothing can be done about the leftover food.
Due to the tendency to indulge in display, the trend of expensive marriage has become a rage. Now designer weddings are in vogue, in which from women's music to wedding rites, everything is decided by professional wedding planners. Now, with waiters in attendance, the atmosphere has started to be somewhat like a restaurant or a carnival but it lacks intimacy and warmth, with guests least bothered about finishing their