Few people are aware that food waste is becoming a global problem. Globally 842 million people go hungry every day. That means one in eight people goes to sleep hungry every night and that number may be more in Metro Manila.

Here are some facts about food waste (from lovefoodhatewaste.com):

1. Almost 50% of the total amount of food thrown away comes from our homes. We throw away 7.2 million tons of food and drink from our homes every year and more than half of this is food and drink we could have eaten.
2. If we all stop wasting food that could have been eaten, the benefit to the planet would be the equivalent of taking 1 in 5 cars off the road. The waste of good food and drink is associated with 4% of the total water footprint.
3. There are two main reasons why we throw away good food: we cook or prepare too much or we don’t use it in time.

The foods we waste the most are fresh fruits and vegetables (26%), drinks (16%), and bakery items such as bread and cakes (12%). We throw away more food from our homes than packaging every year.

When we throw away food, we are not just wasting food, but also the resources as energy, fuel, time and water used for growing, harvesting, storing, transporting and cooking the food. Also, tons of food thrown in the trash bins that ends up buried in landfills produces harmful methane and greenhouse gases. So let’s buy only what we need, cook just the right amount, store food the best way possible and let’s not forget about the food we already have.

Healthy Options, one of our go-to store for Gab’s teething biscuits, crackers and supplements, is known for providing all natural and healthier alternatives for snacks and ingredients. Just recently, they started the the advocacy to reduce and stop food wastage and to encourage us to be grateful for the food we have on our tables. “Love Food, Don’t Waste” campaign is in partnership with Hands on Manila’s Eat to Feed feeding program.

Just one small step a day can mount up to a massive difference in making the most of the food we have and putting an end to food waste!

Healthy Options Love Food Don’t Waste Campaign

Here’s how to join the Love Food, Don’t Waste Foodless Plate Revolution:

1. After eating, post a photo of your empty plate on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. You can submit one photo per day. Your #foodlessplate photos need to be set to public in order for them to count.
2. Include a caption and don’t forget the #foodlessplate hashtag.
3. Share your #foodlessplate photo on your other social media accounts.
4. Tag the Healthy Options Facebook page, Twitter (@_HealthyOptions), and Instagram (@HealthyOptionsPH) accounts.
5. A donation will be made to Hands On Manila Foundation, for the Eat To Feed Program once 500 entries are reached. Please invite your friends to join the #foodlessplate revolution!

This volunteer-led initiative aims to provide nutritious meals to over 500 children of Childhope Asia and educate the children about healthy eating. To volunteer for the Hands On Manila Eat To Feed Program, e-mail marketing@healthyoptions.com.ph as slots are limited and granted on a first come, first served basis.

Gab’s Foodless Plate after his breakfast of bread, corn and papaya

Update: The project #LoveFoodDontWaste for the Hands On Manila Eat To Feed Program have concluded but the campaign for the Love Food Don’t Waste continues and should be an everyday thing.  Filipinos waste over 2,000 of their food everyday.

To learn more about Healthy Options or share tips on how to reduce food waste, visit www.healthyoptions.com.ph, Healthy Option facebook or visit their branches at:

G/F, Commerce Mall Alabang Town Center (02) 553-2335
Bonifacio High Street (02) 856-3008
Eastwood City (02) 570 7556
Level 2, Festival Supermall (02) 850-4024
L/G, Greenbelt 5 (02) 729-6104
Rockwell Makati (02) 899-6519
Level 2, Robinsons Magnolia (02) 470-3934
Rustan’s Supermarket Makati (02) 893-1714
Level 1 Shangri-La Plaza Mall (02) 635-0321
SM Aura (02) 847-0825
SM Clark (045) 499-0041
Level 2, SM City Manila (02) 400-5636
L/G, SM City North EDSA (02) 920-9267
SM Pampanga (045) 963-6001
SM Mall of Asia (02) 556-0240
Level 2, SM Megamall B (02) 636-1310
Trinoma (02) 943-1765
The North, SM City Cebu (032) 236-3395
G/L, Ayala Center, Cebu City (032) 233-5510
G/F, Abreeza Mall, Davao City (082) 295-2338
SM City Davao (082) 282-0399