My elders alwsys insisted on avoiding food wastage. They alwsys supports to cook enough so that nothing goes wasted. Infact foods were worshipped in many culture. Whenever we have excess food left at home, my Dad goes out and hand over it to some needy person. It is not a kind of charity, but donating food has many good effects. Even the act of donating food is mentioned over our Sanskrit verses. It says.
अन्नदानात्परं दानं न भूतो न भविष्यति|
अन्नेन धार्यते सर्वं जगदेतच्चराचरं||
Annadaanaatparam daanam na bhooto na bhavishyati.
Annena dhaaryate sarvam jagadetaccharam.
Annadaanaatparam = Anna + daanaat + param.
Anna = food.
Daanaat = by giving away as charity.
Param = highest.
Na = not.
Bhooto = happened in the past. Bhavvishyati = will happen in future. Annena = by the food.
Dhaaryate = sustained, holds. Sarvam = entire.
Jagadetaccharacharam = Jagat + etat + characharam.
Jagat = World.
Etat = this.
Charaacharam = movable and immovable
The lines mentioned means that :
Giving food to the needy is best form of charity. Neither there was a better charity than this in the past and nor will there be in future, because food sustains all living beings, both movable and immovable, in this entire World.
Food donations can help to provide nutritious food to people who are struggling to access it. Donating food can help to reduce the amount of food that is thrown away. It also brings impact to environment. Food waste is a major source of environmental contamination. Donating food can help reduce methane emissions and greenhouse emissions associated with food waste. Having so many good deeds with a single act, make sure to donate than waste.
