What it Means to Waste Food
By: Michael Caffrey
In Friday’s issue of the Brown and White, a letter from Jailin Lu was published. It contends that the so-called egregious waste of food that occurs on a daily basis in the fine eating establishments on this campus are responsible for the genocide of millions of people in much of the underdeveloped world.
Jailin’s letter largely attempts to apply the cultural customs of China, in particular their ancient proverb of “wasting food is a crime” and that it was disrespectful towards farmers to waste their hard work. However, we do not live in China, nor do we live in Ancient times. Instead, farming is a profit-driven enterprise conducted by less than two percent of the American population in today’s day and age. Wasting food in today’s world is no more disrespectful to farmers then wasting gas is to oil drillers.
Another contention perpetrated by the letter was that wasted food here translates into recurring genocide throughout much of the world. However, wasted food, which equates to higher food prices in the United States is beneficial; not detrimental to much of the world. Many people in rural Asia and sub-Saharan Africa are local farmers. Higher food prices translate into an increased amount of money that can be made by farmers, which in turn spurs local investment, increased economic development and the ability for many to improve their social standing. In turn, higher food prices are beneficial, and not detrimental to impoverished people throughout the world.
