Let nothing be wasted

faith.food.community



Both poverty and food waste are huge social issues in our world today, and both are problems that we attempt to address through the work of the Veg Box Donation Scheme: addressing poverty through supplying fresh fruit and veg boxes to those in need in our local communities, and addressing food waste by receiving from local companies donations of edible, in date produce that would otherwise end up at the rubbish tip, often because of small imperfections and consumer fussiness. 

We are not a global organisation, trying to end world poverty by providing food from the western world to those in need in poorer regions, though there is certainly a place for that, particularly in disaster situations. But if what we do locally could be done in other communities, each local community providing food donated by local people and organisations to local people in need, coordinated by those within the local community, we can tackle hunger and food waste in one go!

There is a Biblical basis for not wasting food. A recent BIOY post was about the young boy who shared his lunch of two fish and five loaves and fed 5,000 people.

Lessons to be learnt from this Bible story found in John 6:1-24? 

• There is ‘the principle that those who sow generously will also reap generously . . . This boy’s act of generosity will never be forgotten. . . At least 5,000 people were fed and there was plenty left over’.
• Jesus told His disciples, ‘“Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted”. If it needed a biblical basis, here is a biblical basis for not wasting food . . .  The world produces enough food to feed everyone. Yet, well over half a billion people are suffering from chronic undernourishment. At the same time, around a third of the food produced in the world for human consumption every year gets lost or wasted. Individually and corporately we need to act urgently on Jesus’ instruction: ‘Let nothing be wasted.’” 
• “Make it your aim to be the most generous person you know. Be generous with your money, your possessions, your time and your love. You cannot out-give God. The more you give the more you will harvest and the more you will enjoy the favour of God on your life." 

(Nicky Gumbel, BIOY, 10 May 2021)

If you would like to start a Veg Box Donation Scheme in your area, or donate in Potton or Biggleswade, contact us for more info.