Happy World Food Day!
16th October is World Food Day, and if there is ever a day to celebrate at YallaCook, it’s this.
We live and breathe food, but like many awareness days, there’s a serious message and mission behind the celebration.
World Food Day was set up to commemorate the founding of the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation in 1945.
The goals of this organisation remain as relevant now as they did back then post-war, because although the challenges have changed, hunger and inequality around the world still exist.
From farming to climate change, communities around the world are greatly affected and on this day it’s important for all of us to remember not to take the food we eat for granted.
As the challenges evolve, so does the annual theme, and this year’s theme is ‘Leave no one behind’.
‘Leave no one behind’ puts a spotlight on the fact that too many people around the world still do not have access to a healthy diet. Much of this is based on where in the world people live, whether it’s rural or climate related challenges or through war and conflict.
It’s down to all of us to be mindful and grateful for what we have, and to support sustainability goals so that others around the world can enjoy it too.
But it’s also important for all of us in the food industry to share information and educate to increase understanding of nutrition, food, and cooking.
Currently, thanks to rising energy prices, we are facing a cost-of-living crisis that may make it difficult for some people to eat well.
With this in mind, here’s some of our top tips for eating well for less.
Shop for bargains
It may seem obvious, but sometimes people shy away from discounted food, thinking it won’t last or be good quality. But fish and meat can be frozen, veggies that are not super fresh can be thrown into soups or casseroles, and if you shop at the end of the day in a supermarket, you may just pick up some bargains you can cook right away for your dinner.
Batch cook
Did you know that the UK throws away around 9.5 million tonnes of food waste every year? This is terrible when some people are living in food poverty. Batch cooking and freezing can greatly reduce waste. Soups, casseroles, chilli, shepherd’s pie, fish pie, curries – so much can be frozen and used for another quick meal rather than discarding leftover ingredients.
Get creative with cheaper ingredients
Some cheaper food products can be the foundation of some fantastic dishes. Tinned chopped tomatoes for instance are so versatile as the foundation of stews, soups, sauces, curries. Jacket potatoes are a cheap, nutritious, and delicious base for a whole range of fillings. Rather than buying pizzas, make your own dough for a fraction of the price and add your own toppings. Whizz up your own soups from cheaper veggies like carrots and added dried spices and herbs to change up the flavours.
Get organised
Cost effective cooking will be far easier if you plan your meals ahead. Getting the right ingredients in advance means you can pick up on discounts and offers. And you won’t run the risk of being caught out hungry with nothing ready to eat, leaving you reaching for the takeaway menu….
Make it fun
If cooking from scratch leaves you feeling less than excited, involve the kids! Get them looking for cheap simple recipes online and maybe team up for in-family cooking competitions. They’ll be learning new skills for life and with any luck, you’ll be served up a nice meal without lifting a finger!
If you want to learn more about World Food Day, visit https://www.fao.org/world-food-day/en