Starchild: Why Malaysian kids think it's important to reduce food waste

Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, 8

World Food Day (WFD) was celebrated on Oct 16 as a special day to understand how important food is for all of us.

Food is like magic fuel for our bodies. It gives us the energy we need to play, learn, and grow, just like a car needs gas to go. Our bodies need food to function. You might be lucky to have yummy food on your plate every day, but not everyone in the world is as fortunate. WFD reminds us to be grateful for what we have and to help those who don't have enough to eat.

Have you ever thought about where your food comes from? It doesn't just appear in the grocery store.

Farmers work hard to grow fruits, vegetables, and raise animals for us to eat. They are like the superheroes of the food world! Food is not just about eating; it brings people together. Have you ever had a family dinner or shared snacks with friends? Food helps us celebrate special moments and creates happy memories.

It's essential to eat healthy foods like fruits, veggies, and grains. They give our bodies the right vitamins and minerals to stay strong. Remember, too many sweets and fast food might taste good, but they should be treats, not everyday food. We should also learn not to waste food. Imagine how much food we throw away every day when many people are hungry.

According to the 2022 edition of The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report released by the United Nations, the number of people affected by hunger globally rose to as many as 828 million in 2021, an increase of about 46 million since 2020.

Let's be mindful and try not to waste what's on our plate.World Food Day is a day to remember how lucky we are to have food and how important it is to share and care. So, let's appreciate the delicious meals we have, and maybe even help others in need. You can start small, like donating to a food bank or planting a little garden at home.

Here are some letters from Starchild readers on the topic of World Food Day.

Ethan Chin Kuok Wah, 10, says we need food for growth, nutrition, and survival. He adds that some people don't have food to eat because of poverty, natural disasters, and, more recently, the adverse impact of climate change.

"We should only buy what we need. At home, we can do regular pantry and fridge checks to prevent too many purchases and unnecessary waste. Schools should also educate students about the consequences of food waste. Canteen operators can try to offer less food, so there won't be so much wastage. In conclusion, WFD is a reminder for all of us to work together to stop hunger. We can do this by helping others, not wasting food, and making sure everyone knows about it."

Asher Wang Qi Chuen, 6

"I thank God for the yummy food that I have whenever I am hungry. I must not complain or waste the food that my parents have prepared for me. If there are any leftovers, perhaps I can share them with some hungry animals that need food," says Asher Wang Qi Chuen, six.

Older sibling Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, eight, writes: "WFD reminds me to appreciate my food and not to take food for granted. I should try all types of food and be thankful for the nutrients they provide for the good of my body."

Lim Sheng Hao, 10

"To stop world hunger, I would invent a few machines. The first one would be a robot chef. It could prepare any food of whatever cuisines as long as the dishes are put into its program. The second one would be a food distributor. It would be able to serve the food to any person using a conveyor belt. To use it, someone has to stand on a platform pushing the lever to ensure that the prepared food is served to the right person. Lastly, I would like to make robot to make jam. It would only peel the skins of any fruits so that no food would be wasted," says Lim Sheng Hao, 10.

"World Food Day was on Oct 16 to move towards ending world hunger. It reminds me to be grateful for the food that I eat. I don't waste food as there are still lots of unlucky children that probably do not have enough food to feed their hungry tummy. I would invent a food producer center to create food. Just type in the food you want and press an enter button to produce a freshly cooked meal. Another way is to donate food to the poor so they could survive and also help end world hunger," says Low Ying Xi, 11.

Low Ying Xi, 11

"World Food Day is a celebration to end hunger. I would donate tons of food to charity and to ensure that no food is wasted. I would also invent a special rotan (cane) that would command people who are wasteful to clean up their plates. We are lucky in Malaysia because we don't suffer from starvation," writes Chuah Seng Koon, seven.

Chuah Seng Koon, 7

ITEM: Do you know what Deepavali signifies? What are some of the favorite dishes and snacks that you like to eat during Deepavali? How do you plan to celebrate this festival? With Deepavali coming up, why not draw us your idea of a greeting card? Make your card as colorful as you can. E-mail your contributions to [e-mail] by Nov 3. Please put "STARCHILD: Deepavali" in the subject line of your email. Scanned drawings should be in jpeg format, with a resolution of 200 dpi. Your contributions must carry your full name, age (open to children aged 12 and below only), gender, phone contact, and address. Instead of handwritten letters, please type out your letters.