SAMPLE ANSWERS

Food Waste Worldwide

• What do you think happens to food when it is thrown away?
  • It goes to the landfill where it rots and releases harmful gases like methane, which can harm the environment.
  • Sometimes, food is burned or left to decay, wasting all the water and energy used to grow it.
• Why do you think some countries waste more food than others?
  • Rich countries waste more because people buy too much food or throw it away if it doesn’t look perfect.
  • Some places don’t have good storage or transport systems, so food gets spoiled before it’s eaten.
• How can schools, homes, or restaurants help reduce food waste?
  • They can plan meals better, serve smaller portions, and donate extra food to people in need.
  • They could compost leftovers to make fertilizer instead of throwing them away.
• If you had leftover food that couldn’t be eaten, what could you do with it instead of throwing it away?
  • I’d compost it to help plants grow in my garden.
  • I could give it to animals like chickens or dogs if it’s safe for them.
• Why do you think people buy more food than they need?
  • Sometimes they think they might run out of food or buy things on sale even if they don’t need them.
  • They might not plan their meals well, so they buy too much.

Fighting Hunger with Food Banks

• How do food banks help people in need?
  • They give free food to people who can’t afford to buy it.
  • They collect extra food from shops and homes and share it with those who are hungry.
• If you wanted to set up a food bank in your neighborhood, what would be the first step you’d take?
  • I’d talk to people and businesses to ask for food donations.
  • I’d find a place to store the food and organize volunteers to help.
• Why do you think it’s important for volunteers to help run food banks?
  • Volunteers make it possible to collect, sort, and share the food without spending money on workers.
  • They help make sure everything runs smoothly and reaches the people who need it.
• Do you think food banks are only needed in poor countries, or are they important everywhere? Why?
  • They’re important everywhere because even rich countries have people who can’t afford food.
  • Hunger exists in every country, so food banks are helpful no matter where they are.
• What would you say to encourage people to donate to a food bank?
  • I’d tell them their extra food can stop someone from going to bed hungry.
  • I’d explain that donating food also reduces waste and helps the environment.

Food Banks on the Rise

• Why do you think food banks have become more common in recent years?
  • More people are struggling with money, so they need help to afford food.
  • Food banks also help reduce waste, which has become a bigger problem recently.
• What would happen if food banks didn’t exist?
  • More people would go hungry, especially during emergencies like floods or wars.
  • A lot of good food would be wasted instead of helping people.
• Do you think food banks should be a permanent solution, or should governments work to reduce the need for them? Why?
  • Governments should reduce the need for food banks by creating more jobs and helping people earn enough money to buy food.
  • Food banks are a good temporary solution, but everyone should have enough money to buy food on their own.
• How do you think communities feel about food banks in their areas?
  • They probably feel grateful because food banks help families in need.
  • Some might not know how much food banks do for the community until they need help themselves.
• What could people do to help food banks other than donating food?
  • They could volunteer their time to help sort and distribute food.
  • They could donate money or spread the word about the food bank to get more support.
• Should food banks only serve people who can’t afford food, or should they also help reduce food waste?
  • Food banks should do both because helping people and reducing waste can go hand in hand. When food banks use extra food that would otherwise be wasted, they not only feed hungry people but also help save resources like water and energy.
  • Even if someone doesn’t need a food bank to survive, reducing food waste helps everyone. It makes sure food doesn’t end up in landfills where it causes pollution.
• Imagine your school cafeteria has extra food left over every day. What could you do with it?
  • We could collect the leftover food and give it to people in need, like at a local shelter or food bank. The school could also work with farmers to compost the food scraps and use them as fertilizer.
  • I would suggest setting up a ‘leftover table’ where students can take extra food if they’re still hungry, instead of letting it go to waste. We could also pack the leftovers in boxes and deliver them to families who need help.

Reducing Hunger and Food Waste

• How does reducing food waste help fight hunger?
  • It makes sure more food goes to people who need it instead of being thrown away.
  • It means less food is wasted, so there’s enough for everyone.
• If your family reduced food waste, what could you save (money, resources, etc.)?
  • We could save money, water, and time by only buying what we need.
  • We’d also help the environment by not throwing away food that takes a lot of energy to grow.
• Why is it important to teach children about food waste and hunger?
  • If kids learn young, they’ll grow up to make better choices and help more people.
  • They’ll understand how their actions can make a big difference in reducing hunger.
• What is one small thing you could start doing today to help reduce food waste?
  • I could take smaller portions of food so I don’t leave anything on my plate.
  • I could save leftovers and eat them the next day instead of throwing them away.
• Do you think sharing food with others is an easy way to reduce hunger? Why or why not?
  • Yes, because it doesn’t cost anything extra to share food that you already have.
  • Yes, because sharing even a little can mean a lot to someone who has nothing.