CRUX ESSAY CONTEST WINNER 2019 - 2020
I wondered if there was a law responsible for their unwillingness to reduce this ongoing food waste. As it turns out, the Federal Government does not stipulate in what circumstances that food is allowed to be donated. Consequently, very few states have laws regulating the donation of food (Food Safety Legislation 2018). An article states , “ California ’ s SB 557 allows for unused food
it and are trying to enact steep budget cuts . Representatives
fear that Americans are taking advantage of the SNAP
program , and are idle and lazy , not willing to strive for
financial independence . ( Nestle , " The Supplemental
Nutrition Program …"). It states in the article , " Children ’ s
Rights and the Politics of Food : Big Food Versus Little
People ," “ President Trump ’ s budget not only called for $ 193
billion in cuts to SNAP over the next ten years , it also would
terminate SNAP ’ s status as a national program … It would also
cut WIC funding for pregnant and nursing mothers and their
children by $ 188 million and totally defund the Farmers
Market Nutrition Program " ( Woodhouse ). These cuts will hurt
millions of families across America . Americans should be
or food returned by a consumer at schools to be donated to
educated about these matters , especially if it affects them
a food bank or other nonprofit charity ” (" Food Safety
directly . They should vote for the politicians who will
Legislation 2018 "). It ’ s unfortunate that most California
advocate and protect the struggling families and write
schools have not implemented any sort of program to
letters to representatives and to Congress . Unfortunately ,
reduce the amount of waste that occurs .
without effective programs and policies in place , many will
Fortunately , there is one individual who is making a
continue to go hungry and will suffer the health
difference in Alameda County . Nancy Deming , the
consequences of malnutrition — or even die .
sustainability manager for custodial and nutritional services
Another large contributing factor to food insecurity
for the Oakland School District , has transformed the schools
is that , even though the U . S . produces more than enough
in the district . She has devised a program to throw produce
food to feed everyone in America , food goes to waste . It is
that has been partially eaten into a compost bin , to put non -
said that , “ the United States wastes up to 40 percent of
eaten food in the share bin — separating into cold foods , hot
its food supply . This disconnect results in approximately 125
foods , and produce — and giving the rest of the food to a local
to 160 billion pounds of wasted food every year ” (" Food
hunger - relief organization . Deming has successfully
Waste …"). Can you imagine how many lives could be saved if
implemented this program and is responsible for reducing
all that wasted food was made available to the hungry ? As
the amount of food that would have typically been wasted .
mentioned earlier , from my own personal experience
The USDA now endorses this program ( Bloom ). The need for
working at an elementary school , food is wasted on a daily
individuals to get involved and advocate for similar
basis . According to an article in The Daily , “ The USDA ’ s
programs throughout the United States is crucial in
National School Lunch Program serves 30 million kids
reducing food insecurity . Awareness and action will help
every school day … but the program also wastes about $ 5
provide food that would have normally been wasted to
million worth of edible food every school day ” ( Bloom ). It ’ s
hungry families . In addition , establishments such as markets
horrifying to watch . I see fresh produce , hot lunches , and
and grocery stores should not be allowed to throw away
unopened milk tossed into the trash can on a daily
food that has not gone bad but may not appear aesthetically
basis . As I confronted the Principal , she informed me that no
pleasing , making it difficult to sell . Instead of discarding the
one is allowed to remove the food from the premises , even if
produce , establishments should donate to food banks or be
it is to be donated to needy families .
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