SCARCITY AND OVERCONSUMPTION
In the Asian, African and Latin American countries, more than 500 million people are living in “absolute poverty.” Nearly one in four people, 1.3 billion, live on less than $1 per day, while the world’s 358 billionaires have assets exceeding the combined annual incomes of countries with 45 percent of the world’s people. Three billion people in the world today struggle to survive on $2/day.
The World Health Organization estimates that one-third of the world is well-fed, one-third is underfed, one-third is starving. One in twelve people world-wide is malnourished, including 160 million children under the age of 5. About 183 million children weigh less than they should for their age.
Every 3.6 seconds someone dies of hunger and 15 million children die of hunger every year. It is estimated that some 800 million people in the world suffer from hunger and malnutrition, about 100 times as many as those who actually die from it each year.
In comparison, more than half of all adults and a quarter of all children in the United Sates are over-weight or obese.
The Mountain and Our Food
The average person wastes a half-pound of food per day. Roughly 150 pounds of food are wasted during a one hour lunch period on particular weekdays at McClurg.
Organic food is an excellent way to serve healthier food, create good relationships with local growers, and cut our oil consumptions as a tremendous amount of oil is used in conventional food production and transportation. There have been several movements towards incorporating local and organic foods into McClurg. Organic beef is brought in every Wednesday night from alum Bill Keener’s farm in Sequatchie, TN. The other foods provided by McClurg are from Sysco, a national supplier, and Dixie, a regional supplier.
The Organic Garden, run by the EcoHouse, is just one example of alternative methods of food production that student and community members are exploring. Composting and permaculture methods are also being utilized by students and community members.
Did you know?
Local and organic farmers sell their goods at the Sewanee Community Center Tuesdays from 5-6:30 p.m. Order food and support your local community today by going to http://sewanee.locallygrown.net/
Decreasing your food wastes
In McClurg, make sure to:
- Take only what you will eat. You can always go back for seconds!
- If given a choice, buy and eat locally organically grown food
- If you are unhappy, or dissatisfied with your McClurg dining experience, SPEAK. Leave a comment, talk to the director of dining services, Keith Davis, or go to the Dining Council meetings to discuss your concerns and grievances. These resources are here for you. So, please feel free to use them.
Outside of the bubble, try to:
- Support local co-ops and farmers and help the local economy
- Start composting
