Table for 9 Billion Please
We love food. Let’s get that out of the way right up front.
We enjoy going out for a killer meal, cooking up a Thai feast at home and diving into an over-the-top dessert. But there’s a shadow side to our ability to indulge.
Today is World Food Day. Tomorrow is International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
We know all too well about poverty and the unrelenting strangle-hold it has on millions of people around the world. Heck, this reality accounts for a big chunk of the motivation behind our No Vacation Required life. We owe it to those living in despair – the ghosts of society – to live a full life and to be a voice for them.
So, when it comes to food, we also have some powerful triggers. Sometimes, say for example, when we’re at a restaurant and a huge dessert is plopped down in front of us, I’ll see a certain look in Caanan’s eyes. A look that says “That’s enough for four people.” We simultaneously hate the idea of giving in to a monstrous dessert and hate the idea of wasting it.
We think of our inspirers in South America who are lucky if they get one meal a day, we think of our “family” in Zambia that had never had a meal away from home, we think about the fact that one in seven world citizens is chronically hungry.
Yep, a billion people are chronically hungry despite an over-abundance of food in parts of the world. Right now, here in the United States, a record number of people (about 46 million) are using food stamps. Disturbingly, this comes at a time when our home country also has a record number of millionaires.
You read that correctly. We have a record number of people relying on food stamps in order to live and a record number of millionaires.
The middle class is disappearing. People don’t have jobs and, worse yet, are unable to meet basic survival needs. The impersonal “them” that used to be the small, unfortunate lower class is quickly becoming the familiar “us” – as we all watch our friends, family members and neighbors face major setbacks.
And that’s not the worst of it. About 50% of the population of the industrial world is overweight while millions of people in less developed parts of the world are migrating for food. Like wild animals. This is wrong.
It doesn’t have to be that way. There is enough abundance in the world for everyone. With our votes and with our money, we must send a loud message to governments and companies.
In order to do that, we must first each examine our own relationship with food.
Advocating for the less fortunate is a huge part of our lives, but we must step up our game. This week, with the assistance of a bunch of great tools from Oxfam – an organization fighting poverty – we’re going to do just that.
By about 2050, there will be around 9 billion people on the planet. We need a better food system – one that more effectively feeds a growing population. Oxfam’s “Grow” campaign is a catalyst for such change. Please join us in the fight. Over a meal during the week ahead, ponder the following on your own or with your dining companions.
- Where does your food come from?
- Who is the face behind your food?
- How have rising food prices affected you?
- How is the global food system connected?
We’re hoping that the conclusions we come up with help to inspire the the action we take in order to make our country and the world a bit more hospitable for everyone. The key is getting power back into the hands of those who deserve it – the people who produce food and the people who consume food.
In honor of World Food Day / International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and the billion people that go without, please pass this post on and/or inspire those you know to have a discussion about food.
We’ll report back regarding our learnings as well as our plans. We hope you do the same.
Because we know better, we must do better. It’s our responsibility.
What do you think? Will you join us in the fight?
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Twitter: Technosyncratic
Yessssss. You are so on the mark here.
In the U.S. we also have food deserts, government-subsidized food crops that are NOT in our best health interests (like the over-production of corn leading to the over-use of high fructose corn syrup), and the sad reality that it’s cheaper to eat fast food for every meal than it is to eat fresh food.
Obesity is an issue in the industrial world, but not necessarily because there’s an over-abundance of food for everyone here. Poorer communities tend to have much higher rates of obesity, and there are a lot of institutional factors at play there.
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I think a lot of people will be surprised to learn that food insecurity and malnutrition is as much a problem in this US as anywhere else. We tend to talk about starvation in Africa – those people suffering over there – and not recognize that food deserts and calorie-laden, nutrition- vacant food here in the US is a very real threat.
The politics of our food is, um, criminal. Those in power prop up commodities and corporations at the expense of the constituents. Something has to change.
Twitter: abbytegnelia
You are such talented writers and thus the perfect people to spread a message as important as this one.
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Thank you so much Abby. An especially big compliment from someone who writes so well herself!
Twitter: sebaboerner
Well written article and so true! We have to stop wasting our food and help the people in need!!!
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Being conscientious about our own relationship with food is a good start.
Twitter: lilygogo
I’ll help you spread the message. It drives me mad when I see people watse food without a second thought. That’s one of the reasons why I hate cruises, I can’t stand the sight of all these fat people, loading up their plates and then throwing half away. It’ s sin.
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Thanks for taking up the cause.
We hear you about cruises, the abundance is shocking. The mindlessness with which it is consumed is even more upsetting.
Twitter: struxtravel
Great, thought-provoking article guys. Just the type I’d expect from you!
World hunger is such an important issue, I’ll help to spread the word too!
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Twitter: Christopher_All
Thank you for this reminder, NVR guys. Shared on FB.
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Thanks. Maybe a message about food security and poverty eradication will get as many hits as a picture of a cat that says “I can has cake!” We can dream.
Twitter: 3pupsinapopup
Yes, I will also blog about this and help in your campaign to raise awareness.
I am from rural Appalachia where hunger is rampant, diabetes and other food-related illnesses are staggering. When Dianne Sawyer did an expose on my county, the residents had a fit! They (the ones who were not the target population) didn’t like the way it made them appear to “outsiders”. Although having been a Social Worker in those parts for years, I know the truth, and it’s not pretty!
Good on you, once again, NVR guys!
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Thanks, Jules. We appreciate you joining the fight!
BTW – We have a friend from Appalachia who has talked about the problems there.
Twitter: aviewtoathrill
God bless you Canaan and Kent! I can’t tell you how I have to keep from hurling when I hear folks ranting about how the poor and needy should pull themselves up by their own bootstraps. That’s kinda hard to do when you (figuratively) don’t have feet! I think that compassion has not only been assassinated, the killers stood over the corpse and spat on it. It’s good to see that there is a movement to help those who are starving because there are many who think it’s mythology because in their limited worldview only the lazy starve. There is none who as blind as those who refuse to see what a great need and challenge there is before us. Thanks for putting this topic at the forefront because each of us have a role to play
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Thanks, Renee. That’s how we feel. We, too, tire of the “it’s THEIR problem” mentality. Many many every day people here in the USA are slipping into poverty as our economic structure becomes more and more unsustainable. Even worse, the struggles in other parts of the world are inconceivable.
There is enough for everyone. We want to help make that a reality.
The other day I was eating outside in a food court and saw an old man dig inside the trash can for food. He grabbed a half empty cup of iced coffee, took out the cover and drank it. I almost cried. It made me think about how desperately hungry he was to do this and in front of everyone. I thought that no one should ever have to eat out of the trash. So I gave him my meal.
I think you guys are raising an important issue. Having food has never been a problem for most of us and we often do not realize that for other people they fight to have food. I don’t know what I need to do to help but I would be interested to explore campaigns like Oxford’s Grow.
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What a great thing to do, Grace. We’re trying to be more aware when we face that in our own community. It’s easy to become sort of “blind” to those in need.
Ahhh why must y’all make me get emotional. Great post… and what a great cause to fight!!! When I read the title… i was like um their is not 9 BILLION people on EARTH… but then read. I can’t believe that… that is a huge change… I hope the bigger companies and governments help to make sure the right things are done. Sadly though right now with how things are I can’t put my hope on any government. All the governments of the world are being run by the big companies who are paying the salaries on the side… Ahhh 1st world corruption!!! Sorry I went on a tangent… just makes me mad, but yes I will help spread this message!!!
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Crazy, isn’t it. 9 billion people by 2050. It’s just not sustainable with our current system and more and more of the middle class will fall into poverty.
Check out the GROW campaign (Oxfam.org) – it’s pretty awesome.
Twitter: artisdiary
Food is considered very sacred in India. It should not be wasted, not even one morsel…
You guys are doing a fabulous job, its a very serious issue.
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ANOTHER reason for us to get to India.
Twitter: thetravelchica
Great information here. This is an issue that I think many are aware of, but it is easy to forget and take what we have for granted.
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And you are currently in Buenos Aires – the land of generous food portions. Next time we’re down there, we have to keep it in check
Twitter: budgettravelsac
Growing and providing food for hungry people is one issue. Eating the right foods for those of us who have it is an issue as well. I think fixing the latter could help for the former as we focus more on eating what is right and helping others do the same.
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Word.
The ease with which we (people with access to food) can consume fast food is a huge part of the problem. With locations on every corner and low prices, it becomes a matter of economics for many families.
Twitter: travelsofadam
Thanks so much for sharing this! It’s so gratifying to read about important issues. I read Jonathan Safran Foer’s book about vegetarianism when it first came out and it was the impetus that led me to start thinking about food in a completely different way.
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Thanks, Adam – I don’t think I know of that book. I’ll check it out.
Twitter: cruisepictures
Very timely post! It is also true that hunger for money is also a basic instinct of humanity these days. Never satisfied with what we have.
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Hunger for money may be the worst kind of hunger!
Thank you an interesting post – I actually went to a rather lavish buffet last night – and my burning question was what was going to happen to all the uneaten food?
In some cultures the height of hospitality is to not only to provide quality but also and indulgent quantity of food. To do less the host would feel negligent.
We were just one evening of what must be many at that particular residence, and although I appreciated the hospitality I was incredibly conscious of those who go without that night, whilst we couldn’t possibly eat what had been provided for us.
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A friend had a bunch of people over for dinner the other night, and I was thinking the exact same thing. It gets more difficult to enjoy a fantastic meal without acknowledging that SO many people go to bed having had no food in a given day.
Thanks for your inspiration and encouragement for all of us to give deeper thought to this important issue & to “do better”. I’ll be spreading the word.
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Thanks you, Cathy!
Twitter: robinjgraham
One of the first problems you identify here is the lie we were all sold that rabid free market economics would constitute a trickle-down economy. In reality the money has been sucked UP. We live in a time of INCREASING injustice and inequality. The fact that so many of us are cushioned from the effects by the hard work of previous generations does not change that fact.
I love food too. I don’t need it particularly cheap. I will pay for quality and for nutrients and, where meat is concerned, for animal welfare. I can and should pay for these things. It would help subsidise (a dirty word!!) those who can’t.
The world has, on balance, a surplus of food. All this talk of using GM crops to address hunger is lies. We don’t have a food shortage. We just have greed and waste. The actual purpose of many GM crops is to force farmers back year after year to purchase another batch of proprietorially licensed seed.
Money.
I could go on but you’ve already submitted a compelling argument here.
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A compelling argument indeed.
You make some excellent points, each of which we could talk about until the four of us (K has to take part) are either hoarse or to drunk to continue.
When it comes right down to it, we need to be more mindful about the true “cost” of our goods and, at the very least, be informed enough to know that we are being consistently sold a bill of goods. Then we need to start holding the powers that be responsible. This is a tough one, since they hold SO much power, but it is not impossible.
Shall I load the first pebble into the slingshot?
Twitter: aviewtoathrill
Hey,
I came across this free kindle from OxFam (at least as of this writing) Growing a better future: Food Justice in a resource-constrained world
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005WQWMLW?tag=kiq-free-e-20
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Thanks for sharing that link! I just downloaded it.
Great post! We just signed up w/ Oxfam yesterday to contribute a set monthly amount. We, too, are feeling the pinch these days even though we are some of the employed but so many in the world are in such need we couldn’t do otherwise.
You are absolutely right about the middle class disappearing and, how sad, since that is who built this country.
Keep up the great posts and keep us posted on your part of the movement with Oxfam.
That is wonderful news Rhonda. Thank you!
I am so impressed that despite feeling the pinch (as we almost all are nowadays) you have chosen to give. On behalf of the people who’s lives will be enriched by your contributions, our deepest appreciation.
Twitter: idelishTravel
We are right there with you two! We were just pondering the same things just this past weekend. Thank you for bringing this to light and sharing it with your readers. We’ll spread the word for sure. We’ve been looking at a couple charities to support lately and OxFam is one of them!
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Thank you for spreading the word and for taking action. We do a lot of research on the charities that we get behind, and feel very positively about OxFam. You may also want to check out CARE (with whom we do a lot of advocacy work). Also consider sponsoring a child through Children International.
Twitter: quirkytravelguy
You guys touch on a lot of important issues. I heard a comedian not long ago say something like “A third of the world is obese and a third of the world is starving. Basically, the fat people are eating the skinny people’s food.” It’s a lighthearted way of saying the same thing, that we have to even out this inequality.
I totally relate to the idea of not wanting to eat huge portions but not wanting to waste it. I struggle with this all the time.
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Sounds like you’ve already started the conversation in your head. Spread the word!
Twitter: migrationology
I’m in for sure to be more mindful and think more about the food I eat. We definitely cannot take the food we have available to us for granted.
As a foodie, I’m also deeply disturbed about the warped distribution of food and how there is not a world food shortage, but there are so many people that are hungry in this world. It’s startling to think that completely unrelated issues of food production (like politics and corruption) can lead to starving populations.
Thanks for pointing to the link of Oxfam’s GROW. I had seen a few videos about it from a friend who works for Oxfam in Thailand. Tackling the problem of people that don’t have enough food is a huge task, but it can be done!
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Glad you, too, have checked out Oxfam. We really like the way that they are addressing those underlying problems and asking ALL of us to examine our relationship with food.
One of the major challenges of our generation. I felt let down that “Make Poverty History” didn’t achieve its goals in 2005. Now the richer countries claim to be able to not afford their own budget spending, never mind write off debts elsewhere.
OXFAM do sterling work, in Belgium this month they hold Fair Trade breakfasts at venues across the country. A good way to support them and get educated on the plight of the hungry billion that is growing daily.
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Oxfam is really good about holding events and promoting initiatives that raise awareness. They advocate at a variety of places like large concert venues and local farmers markets.
Glad you are on board!
Twitter: mummy_t
The grotesque thing I find is the immense amount of food waste that is generated. In the UK, something like 35% of food bought from the supermarket ends up going to landfill.
Isn’t that nuts? It gets more and more difficult to see food going to waste. That’s one of the reasons we are fired up about this.
Off topic, but not really….this is exactly why I hate buffets. It feels inherently wrong to sit in front of a lavish feast where I can indulge until I puke, while at the same time knowing that people I have met in my travels near and far, will be scrounging in the streets that day for a meal.
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Exactly. The best thing we can do – as a starting point – is stay focused on eating what we take. That, alone, makes a huge impact.