Hey, have you ever thought about what happens to all the food leftover at restaurants, weddings, or even at home? In Indonesia, this leftover food often gets thrown away, which is a huge problem. While some people throw food away, others are going to bed hungry. This is where an awesome movement called Garda Pangan steps in. Let’s dive into their story and see how they’re making a difference!
Why Food Waste is a Big Deal
Did you know that Indonesia is the second-largest food waster in the world? Each year, the average person throws away 300 kilograms of food. That’s like tossing out a mountain of food!
Meanwhile, 19.4 million Indonesians go to bed hungry every day. Food waste isn’t just about wasting money—it’s also bad for the planet. When food rots in landfills, it releases methane gas, which harms the environment and worsens climate change.
The Heroes Behind Garda Pangan
Meet Dedhy and Indah, a husband-and-wife team with a mission. Dedhy works in wedding catering and noticed how much food gets thrown away after events. From a business perspective, throwing it out seemed easier, but Indah thought it was heartbreaking. Together, they decided to do something about it.
With their friend Eva, who also wanted to fight food waste, they started Garda Pangan in Surabaya. This group collects surplus food and shares it with people who really need it. Cool, right?
How It Works
Here’s what Garda Pangan does:
1. Teamwork: They partner with restaurants, hotels, bakeries, and farmers.
2. Food Rescue: Every day, volunteers collect leftover food that’s still safe to eat.
3. Sharing with Dignity: The food is handled carefully and shared with underprivileged communities.
They also collect fruits and veggies that farmers leave behind because they don’t look “perfect.” Even though these foods are just as tasty and nutritious, they’d normally go to waste.
Special Food Drives
During special times, like after big celebrations or during natural disasters, Garda Pangan organizes food donation drives. For example, they collect extra cookies after Eid or leftover meals from events. People can even drop off donations at specific spots in Surabaya, or volunteers will come to pick them up.
Why It Matters
The work of Garda Pangan shows that even small actions can create a big impact. By saving food, they’re not just helping people in need—they’re also protecting the planet.
You can help too! The next time you have extra food, think about sharing it instead of throwing it away. Who knows? You might just be a hero like the team at Garda Pangan.
What Can You Do?
- Share food instead of wasting it.
- Talk to your family and friends about food waste.
- Support groups like Garda Pangan by spreading the word.
Every little bit helps. Let’s make the world a better place, one meal at a time! 🌍🍎
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