Team Herald
PANJIM: The Street Providence is working to end food wastage and hunger across the State through an innovative food bank programme, in response to India's worsening hunger index.
According to the 2024 Global Hunger Index, India ranks 105th in the 127 country Global Hunger Index which places it in the serious categories along with Pakistan and Afghanistan.
"In Goa, factories themselves waste a whopping 90,000 kgs food per month. However, Street Providence has tapped nine factories to collect upto 400 kgs of food and distribute it to the people. If the Goa government taps the 100 factories at Verna Industrial estate to join the food bank devised by Street Providence, many hungry people can be fed," said Street Providence Trustee Donald Fernandes.
Speaking to reporters at Azad Maidan in the city, Fernandes said, " In Goa approximately 3000 kg of fresh factory food is daily taken and disposed off by the canteen contractors as garbage. If we channel this food to those in need, we can make a real difference."
"So for the last six months with the help of the factories and boilers department, we approached nine factories in Verna and have been collecting daily hot and fresh food in the afternoon. On an average, we get about 300 to 400 kg of food from these factories. This food goes to people in Vasco who come with their metal container and take it. But we do not use plastic for providing food to the people," he said.
Fernandes said this an avenue in which the Goa government should consider the proposal as it will be cost free.
"The need is to get the 100 odd factories which have more than 500 employees to give their food. Already we are collect food from nine factories in the Verna industrial estate and it is moving very systematically," he said.
Fernandes said, " We may not be able to reduce the 70 million tonnes which India is throwing out. There may be a dispute over the hunger index but the central government is claiming that it gives a dry ration to 80 crore people in the state. It means it is being given to the poor people. Now if there is excess food and is going as a waste, then some authority, starting from Goa, needs to get up. Ultimately our plants (waste treatment plants) are not being run for free. It requires manpower, garbage collection and transportation. This can be saved if the proposal is accepted."