Throwing away food is like stealing from the poor, Francis tells followers

Thursday, June 6th 2013 - 06:33 UTC

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Francis has denounced what he called a “culture of waste” in an increasingly consumerist world and said throwing away good food was like stealing from poor people. Read full article

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GeoffWard2
Dear Pope,

*most* food that is thrown away has never been anywhere near a plate.
It spoils ...
in transit in lorry-jams on the road,
in the ships waiting for onloading/offloading and
in the interminable document compilations necessary for transit.

The best way the Pope can help matters is to press for
i better roads and rail service to ports,
ii better ports, and
iii the dredging of port access.

He does know what I refer to, and may his God guide is prayers on this matter.

It does seem that God is guiding Chinese money towards these ends. This will certainly reduce the numbers of starving poor in China ... which, after all, has the greatest numbers needing saving.

This should please the Pope as it also trickles down profit from infrastructure and export into the mouths of the poor of South America, ... or at least it would if the corruption in all parts of the South American food distribution systems allowed it.
Jun 06th, 2013 - 09:01 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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ChrisR
I see the popesicle has jumped on the current band-wagon without reading the destination plate.

But he is a firm believer in the poor: it's where most of the RC wealth came from after all.
Jun 06th, 2013 - 03:50 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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Ayayay
The poop is a complainer who isn't an example of food efficiency. India is the least food-efficient country, they let enormous piles of grain spoil because politics, vegetables are not cared for with climate-balancing. If the Poop created compost programs, earth-friendly siloage, community gardens on church land that'd be great.
Jun 06th, 2013 - 04:44 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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reality check
Maybe use some of their wealth to feed the poor, be a good start.
Jun 06th, 2013 - 05:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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Ayayay
Is he wearing 24k gold bracelets?
Jun 06th, 2013 - 07:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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Pirate Love
piss-off pope, religion was your choice of life don't ram your beliefs down others throats, when the church gives ALL it has to the poor then speak....I still wont give!
Jun 06th, 2013 - 09:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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Baxter
Interesting comments to say the least . The funny part is that if somebody like Fidel Castro , Mujica or Correa had said this all would be full of praise and say what words of wisdom ! The point is that it matters not who , or what said this . It is a fact of life that so much food is wasted when so many are hungry . Stockpiles in the EU to keep up the price ! Food thrown out of restaurants at the end of the day and supermarkets. In some countries action is taken . In the UK supermarkets do pass on food to nearby hostels or homes for the old or poor . One should also note that the Popes comments are based on UN figures . One assumes that they are based on fact . If I understand well the UN is a world body with executives all over the place .
Jun 07th, 2013 - 01:32 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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ElaineB
I guess the Pope spent many decades working with the destitute in Argentina so it is a matter close to his heart.

I completely agree with Geoff's comment but that should not stop each of us considering our own actions in this regard.

I guess because I live in a land of plenty (relatively speaking) and I travel extensively to places with people living in abject poverty, this has been a bit of a mantra for me for years. So, if the Pope can influence people to think about the issue, I am not complaining, though I suspect some Catholic mothers will interpret it to “The Pope says you have to eat your cabbage or you are committing a sin”. As, Geoff states, it is governments that should be taking more action.
Jun 07th, 2013 - 10:06 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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ChrisR
@7

I for one seriously doubt the veracity of the second sentance.
Jun 07th, 2013 - 01:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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Baxter
8 . Absolutely right , it is the job of governments to do more but a small push by a world leader does no harm ! Worry not about the Catholics , they will not eat old cabbage .
Jun 07th, 2013 - 10:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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