Thank you for being part of the challenge and highlighting this issue. Please keep in mind in the last year food prices have increased and so has needs for food charities... Who are stretched. Donations have gone down as people struggle to make ends meet
In my experience, of which I have plenty... * food is often a social gathering experience. When you haven't got enough... And you are invited to go for a drink and a catch up.. It's difficult. * on a tight budget, you avoid paying full price for anything. You buy on clearance. As much as possible. You fill up on carbs.. Because they are cheap. * I found tea a wonderful way to increase vitamins and minerals, while having a flavoured beverage and an experience. Tea and some home baking can make an experience to share with loved ones.. Which is affordable (ish) on a tight budget. Particularly if each person bring an item to contribute. * food charities are wonderful, they do a great job and I'm grateful... However it can impact on mental/emotional health when you visit a place with sad stories and desperate people... Want to help, but are not in a position to... It is difficult because supermarkets allow charities to pick up their throw away' fresh' food.. So the supermarket can virtue signal, while reducing disposal costs. When you have children, and you rush to process over ripe or partly off 'fresh' food into something appealing.. Before the children come home from school.. It takes an emotional toll. Sending kids to school with fruit salad (off parts removed) and homemade soups with homemade croutons (stale bread, cut up and toasted/dried in oven, cheap grains/lentils/beans etc and what's saved from old 'fresh' vegetables) in lucky op shop (thrift store) finds... Such as mini thermos It's a mixed feeling of relief, accomplishment, guilt and shame. When you go through your pantry, please consider donating unwanted herbs and spices to charities ... These are good for morale.. And add extra nutrition.
Thanks very much for your comments. Yes, I realistically cannot fully imagine the toll of living in that situation, it would be very tough indeed. I'm glad to spread awareness, and to donate to charities that need our help! In Australia we throw away so much food its crazy, so I think we need to campaign more to have that "fresh"/not fresh food available to more people! Thanks for your input! God Bless, Jarrod
Thank you for being part of the challenge and highlighting this issue.
Please keep in mind in the last year food prices have increased and so has needs for food charities... Who are stretched. Donations have gone down as people struggle to make ends meet
In my experience, of which I have plenty...
* food is often a social gathering experience. When you haven't got enough... And you are invited to go for a drink and a catch up.. It's difficult.
* on a tight budget, you avoid paying full price for anything.
You buy on clearance. As much as possible.
You fill up on carbs.. Because they are cheap.
* I found tea a wonderful way to increase vitamins and minerals, while having a flavoured beverage and an experience.
Tea and some home baking can make an experience to share with loved ones.. Which is affordable (ish) on a tight budget.
Particularly if each person bring an item to contribute.
* food charities are wonderful, they do a great job and I'm grateful... However it can impact on mental/emotional health when you visit a place with sad stories and desperate people... Want to help, but are not in a position to...
It is difficult because supermarkets allow charities to pick up their throw away' fresh' food.. So the supermarket can virtue signal, while reducing disposal costs.
When you have children, and you rush to process over ripe or partly off 'fresh' food into something appealing.. Before the children come home from school.. It takes an emotional toll.
Sending kids to school with fruit salad (off parts removed) and homemade soups with homemade croutons (stale bread, cut up and toasted/dried in oven, cheap grains/lentils/beans etc and what's saved from old 'fresh' vegetables) in lucky op shop (thrift store) finds... Such as mini thermos
It's a mixed feeling of relief, accomplishment, guilt and shame.
When you go through your pantry, please consider donating unwanted herbs and spices to charities ... These are good for morale.. And add extra nutrition.
Thanks very much for your comments. Yes, I realistically cannot fully imagine the toll of living in that situation, it would be very tough indeed.
I'm glad to spread awareness, and to donate to charities that need our help! In Australia we throw away so much food its crazy, so I think we need to campaign more to have that "fresh"/not fresh food available to more people!
Thanks for your input!
God Bless,
Jarrod