Food waste

Hi!

In the last class, we listened BBC World Service story about food waste. Then I compare "Food for All" and "Second Harvest Japan". They are the NPO that was introduced in the story. I’m answering the following questions.

 
 

What are some of the features that the groups have in common and how do they differ...in their approaches, activities, reasons for their existence, etc.?

I found that both two organizations distribute food to people in need such as homeless and social exclusion. But the target people are a little bit different. "Food for All" targets disadvantaged, financially challenged and the ‘needy’. "Second Harvest Japan" targets children in children’s home, shelter for victim of domestic violence and so on.

They carry out other different activities. "Food for All" promotes these people to engage in operation procedures and encouraging voluntary activity to install self-confidence and responsibility in them. "Second Harvest Japan" carry out one activity called Harvest Pantry. The content of this activity is that distribute food to people who are poor economically and cannot eat food adequately.

What are the main activities or events that these groups carry out?

The main activity is distribution of food. They distribute food to people in need. In London 20% and in Japan 16% people live in poverty. To help them they donate food. This activity has the aim. By doing so, they can reduce the number of food which is supposed to throw away.

 

From what you saw on their web sites, what surprised or interested you the most?

I surprised the amount of reasons why food are thrown away in Japan. I wanna introduce these reasons. 1. The problem of packing 2. Error of indication 3. Problem of limited-time products 4. Problem of sale item 5. The expiration date 6. End of sales 7. Unexpected production 8. Defective product ……and so on

 

How would you be able to offer help to either organisation -- as a volunteer or supporter?

I might be able to donate to "Food for All" via JustGiving. However it seems to be difficult for me.

For "Second Harvest Japan", I can take part in various activities such as donation of money and food, involvement of their activity, lecture meeting and briefing session and so on.

 

Which group seems to be more active? Why do you think so?

I think "Food for All" is more active. We can see how often they carry out their activity at their site. They do almost everyday except Monday. This is why I think "Food for All" is more active.

 

I don’t know these activity. I think their activity is very profitable in various directions. By writing this article, I could understand such organization deeply.

Food Culture Quiz

Hi.

I took Food Culture Quiz from The Christian Science Monitor.
So today, I will report my score, and tell you what additional knowledge I gained about food through doing the quiz.

My score is  56%.
( 14 corrects, 11 wrongs )


This quiz is difficult for me, so I couldn't do well.
But I can get a lot of new knowledge about food.

・Prix fixe menu is a collection of predetermined dishes, usually three courses, at a set price.
・Allspice is a special spice, usually found in South America or the Caribbean, which tastes like a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
・Grits is a breakfast corn-based porridge.

I noticed that there are a lot of word related to French such as pâté de foie gras, au gratin and so on.
I think this is because French cuisine is regarded as important.
As far as I searched, French cuisine was chosen as Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO in 2010.

Through this quiz, I could know new things about food!

Video

Today, I want to introduce Youtube video which is related to the book I chose.
This video is about the present condition of organic farming in India.

I will explan the content of this video.
Chemical fertilisers and pesticides have been widely used across India since 1950's.
Its purpose is to improve crop yields and grow more fruits and vegetables.
It is not good for environment and their health, and it caused many problems.

Then more farmers started organic farming.
This trend leads up to grow population and reduce food imports.
This transition is slow, but today most farming still uses these methods.
As a result of it, it is good for India.


I was glad to hear this news.
I hope that more and more countries start to adopt organic farming.

Book review -2

I'm going to talk about what I read my book.



Overall, this book has four goals.
① to convince readers that a large-scale shift to organic farming would solve a lot of problems that exist in the U.S. agriculture
② to offer exceptional examples of innovative organic farmers who succeed in this transition
③ to describe potential problems within organic agriculture
④ to mention clear actions that we must take to protect organic farmers


The multiple echological and social issues infuluence organic farming.

Organic farming means crop rotation.
Crop rotation is one of the ways of farming which change the crops grown in a field each season.
This is because it leads up to build healthy fertile soil that has few pest problems.

Orgamic faming also means using "beneficials".
It means organic faming make use of beneficial insects effectively to keep pest away from crops.
For example, beneficial insects are ladybugs. On the contrary, bad bugs are aphids.

I don't think ladybug is good insect, so I was so surprised!
This time I could understand deeply that one of the purposes of organic farming is to solve pest problem.

Book review -1

Hi!
I'm Shoko.

I read a book in my English class at unversity, so I want to introduce the book I chose.

This is "GOOD GROWING  Why Organic Farming Works" wtitten by Leslie A. Duram in 2005.


This book tell us about organic farming. Recantly, organic farming is the fastest growing sector of agriculture. It is profitable for us consumers and the environment. Good Growing begins for working on the problem of the pesticide use, pollution and so on. In this book, the author interviewed farmers. This interview tell us the realities of organic farming. We can also learn attractions and pleasures as well as problems and concerns about organic farming. Good Growing works to improve the health of agriculture. This book helps us understand the value of organic farming.

I chose this book because I'm interested in healthy food and I want to eat good and safe food. If we choose organic food, it leads up to be good for environment and society. By choosing organic food, we can invest our future.

I haven't read whole pages of this book yet. I want to enjoy reading and learning organic farming.