MARCH 2019 | 9
AN INTERACTION
WITH MANISH
BERA
Manish Bera a Photographer, a Foodie and
a Food Blogger who loves to "Eat, Click
and Write" just to make people "Hangry".
“As a kid, I never left the table without
finishing my plate because my
grandmother was very tough with me,” he
says. “So for me, it’s natural to use
everything. Now I’m transferring that
heritage.”
"Food is one of the central
themes around many cultures. It is
considered a way of expression, showing
love and sharing community. Often the
very thought of food gets your mouth
watering. We produce tons of food, keep
high stacks of it at home, and sometimes
our eyes are bigger than our stomachs and
that can cause problems." said Manish
Bera.
How can we reduce food waste?
Manish gave us some cool tips to help us
reduce our habit of throwing food away.
Those who are serious about the issue
should lead by example. Plan out your
meal and make your shopping list to
determine what you actually need for the
week.
You have no idea how amazed you will be
at how much you buy and what you
actually consume.
Growing your own is also a viable
option because if you produce your
food, you will appreciate it more and be
less likely to waste it.
Community gardens can be a fun and
effective way to do that.
Another solution to get rid of leftover food
is to share it. No one turns down a good
meal and you can increase your popularity
amongst your friends. Organize a dinner
party for your group or simply invite a
friend over to have a nice lunch together.
Advanced Tips
If you want to take your action to a higher
level, you should contact your local
grocery store to encourage them to
donate extra products to Food Rescue
programs and Food Banks. The best way is
to talk to them in person. The employees
of the grocery store aren’t bad guys, they
simply may not know what they can do.
A study also highlighted that no grocery
store has ever been sued due to donating
food.
If you are committed, and ready to take on
more responsibility, you can start your
own Food Rescue program. First, you need
to start a non-profit organization, set up
relationships with the grocery stores and
find places to bring the food to, such as
shelters.
Food waste is a growing problem that will
only get worse if action isn’t taken. By
changing your routine and embracing the
habits above it can help thousands receive
food that otherwise may have been
wasted.