World Food Day is acknowledged annually on 16 October to honor and celebrate the foundation of the Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations. On this day, more than one hundred fifty nations, including India, unite to spread awareness associated with growing poverty and starvation due to food shortages.
Despite food scarcity, millions of people in India continue to waste food. As an instance of this issue, the Indian Railways has become a platform where the daily wastage of food accounts for an enormous amount. As a result, buying and wasting additional food has become a common practice among many passengers. Concerning this, Indian Railways have taken the initiative to Prevent Food Wastage on Train.
On the special occasion of World Food Day 2021, we encourage passengers to take a resolution that they will not waste food. Also, they will cooperate with Indian Railways in minimizing food wastage by supporting its various initiatives.
In order to Prevent food wastage on Train, commendable actions have been taken by IRCTC that includes:
Public Refrigerator at the Railway Station: To combat Food Waste, IRCTC has set up Public Refrigerators at its various establishments. Passengers and food plaza staff can store surplus food in them. The surplus food can be fed to needy people. Through this initiative, the poor need not have to gather and eat rotten food from the ground. Apart from poor people, the Public Refrigerator can be used by anyone, including handicapped people, senior citizens, and sick travellers.
In India, millions of people suffer from food shortages, which means a large population starves every day.
Hubli Junction: First railway station to install a community refrigerator
The Hubli Junction of South Western Railway in Karnataka is the first to set up a community refrigerator to reduce food waste and eradicate hunger. This refrigerator is 6 feet long with two large shelves in which raw, cooked, and canned foods can be stored. More than 50 community refrigerators will likely be installed at different stations of the Bangalore Railways division.
The step led by Indian Railway is beneficial to overcome starvation which mainly leads to malnutrition.
“Do you know how much money you throw into your wastebasket every day? Would you like to find out how to avoid food waste?”
Here are some of the alternative guides to Prevent Food Wastage to a minimum at Railway Stations or on the Trains
- Avoid Over-Buying: To reduce Food waste, passengers need to stop buying edibles in bulk. Doing this can help you to save money and food as well. Remember this while ordering food in train online too. So next time if you are on the trip, remember to buy food according to your needs only.
- Respect Your Daily Bread: The scarcity of food grains and the increasing population have created a dire situation everywhere. Our Farmer sweats the whole life struggling for bread. Therefore, it will be beneficial if you read about food production and be familiar with the importance of food.
- Spread Food Awareness: To reduce food wastage on Indian Railway Trains, convey awareness on food waste to a broad population via social media campaigns, Nukkad Natak, word of mouth, or jingles.
- Pack Your Food Sensibly: Passengers carry extra food from home. This means there is a high chance of food deterioration. Hence, asking them to pack their food sensibly is advisable.
- Feed the Needy: Food has got the status of God since ancient times. Despite the belief, travellers continue to throw their leftovers into the wastebasket. To turn down food wastage, ensure that the unconsumed meals satiate the hunger of the poor.
- Stock Your Food Wisely: Food vendors and shop owners at Railway stations are advised to stock their food wisely. Doing so can help prevent food wastage and maintaining good food quality.
- Prevention of Food Waste by Railway Staff: The train personnel should monitor the activities of passengers on the train. The Pantry car staff should ensure that the remaining food is stocked wisely and properly refrigerated for the impoverished.
- Make the Best Use of Public Fridge: Now passengers can store their remains, and extra food in the public refrigerator installed in railway stations. That means no more food wastage.
- Educate Your Child: Your child’s learning regarding the importance of food and its safety would be profitable in the future. Tell them about the struggle of farmers and why it is important to save food. Also, how they can help contribute to preventing food wastage by practicing good food habits.
- Remember 3R’s: It is good to recycle, reuse and reduce extra food on the train while you travel. Following the 3 R rule will amount to a significant change in the prevention of food wastage.
On the eve of World Food Day, Let’s take a pledge to prevent food waste and positively impact the nation by helping those who are starving.
What Is the Theme of World Food Day 2021?
“Our actions are our future – Better Production, a better environment, and a better life” is the theme of World Food Day 2021. This remarkable day will be celebrated in Brussels this year. Earlier, the Theme of World Food Day 2020 was “Grow, Nourish, Sustain, Together Our Actions are our Future”.
Also Read: 15 Best Navratri Special Food, That You Can Order on Train
What Are the Main Causes of Food Waste on the Train?
There are multiple causes for food waste on trains that includes overbuying of low-grade and stale food. Although IRCTC has installed public refrigerators at a few stations, there are no adequate facilities for storing extra food at the stations or in trains. Consequently, it is advisable to carry food from home or order online from a trusted food delivery provider that provides you fresh, tasty, and hygienic meals on the train.
How Is Food Waste Recycled at Patna Junction?
An organic waste converter Plant has been installed at Patna Junction to recycle waste from pantry cars and coaches of each train. This machine can recycle up to 25 kg of food waste per day to form manure and supply gas for cooking purposes.
Food is of great value to all living creatures. Therefore, recycling food as much as possible is recommended, rather than disposing of them. However, there are a lot of food scraps that we cannot add back to our menu.
What Are the Cautionary Measures Followed To Buy Food Online?
COVID-19 has made an impact on all aspects of our lives, such as the way we live, travel, and eat. We encourage you to support World Food Day by following food safety habits. Therefore, while ordering food online, keep in mind the following guidelines issued by the IRCTC.
- Do not take the food parcel directly in hand while having it hang in a pocket and ask the delivery man to put the order in the bag.
- Ensure that the delivery partners practice the highest hygiene when it comes to food packaging and delivery.
- Make sure to clean and sanitize your hands and also disinfect the food package before relishing your meal.
- Always choose the online payment option to promote contactless food delivery.
The safety of your food depends upon the restaurant and the delivery partner as well. It is advisable to order food on the train from the IRCTC authorized delivery partners that follow the strict guidelines issued by the FSSAI.
So, to order food on the go during the COVID-19 pandemic, download the RailRestro App and get food delivered to your seat.
RailRestro is your best travel partner that offers Indian, Chinese, and Punjabi food on train. Download the app now to enjoy tasty Non-Veg food on the train. RailRestro also offers Jain food on the go and makes your journey even more memorable. You can track your food by filling in your order ID and mobile phone number.
So next time you travel by train, we believe you will help in preventing food wastage by following best habits mentioned in this guide.