Food For Thought

For the past few days I've been invited for iftar at open buffets. As a general rule I do not enjoy these events.

I know most people like them because of the variety of food on offer and because they are better value for money than the a la carte options.

For me they are wasteful events. This bothers me that bit more in Ramadan, when we fast all day and remember those less fortunate and then go out to eat and throw away a large percentage of the food made. I ask you, what's the point?

At one of the buffets, I saw people piling food onto their plates in the mountains. And then going back to get plates two and three! About 20 minutes after iftar I watch the waiters picking up almost full plates and throwing their contents in the bin!

Unfortunately there is no system in this country that encourages restaurants to donate their food to those less fortunate.

In the UK a cafe chain called Pret a Manger has an agreement with Shelter, the charity for the homeless, that any leftover food will be donated at the end of the day to feed those less fortunate. It is a perfect example of corporate-social responsibility.

When I mentioned this to some of the restaurants I have frequented here they seemed to laugh at me. Most either believed that there was no one THAT needy in the UAE or that I had the audacity to imply that other people's welfare is in any way their responsibility.

In this month of reflection and abstinence it seems contradictory to discover that food consumption increases by 400 per cent. If the population does not increase, that can only mean that the majority of this food is being made and thrown away.

I know we have been fasting all day but remember your eyes are a lot more hungry than your stomach and food will not run away.

At iftar time take it easy and slowly and serve yourself slowly. Go up for seconds and thirds by all means - just make sure you are not piling on more food than you can eat and causing it to go to waste.

Remember those less fortunate.