As a lone representative of Buitendoor I had the disadvantage and benefit of deciding on a social project myself. In the past years I have focused on topics related to food, health, and sustainability. These are also the fields I would like to work in in the future. So, I decided that my social project should be about these themes. In The Netherlands the Youth Food movement has launched a campaign to promote food education as an election theme for the upcoming national elections in March 2017. At Terra Madre it was one of the pressing food issues that was discussed. Many children do not know where their food comes from or what makes up a healthy meal. Teaching children about nutrition, cooking, and the environmental and health issues that are related to food can prepare them to become conscious eaters and consumers of the future.
The goal I set out for myself during the Love Every Challenge course was therefore: teaching a food course. I even wrote a rap in less than thirty minutes to present my goal, which was quite far out of my comfort zone. (Jamie Oliver did a much better job, check it out here.)
The goal I set out for myself during the Love Every Challenge course was therefore: teaching a food course. I even wrote a rap in less than thirty minutes to present my goal, which was quite far out of my comfort zone. (Jamie Oliver did a much better job, check it out here.)
Waste doctors
In December I was in The Netherlands again and within a couple of days after my return I taught a workshop with Taste Before You Waste, an initiative focused on the prevention of food waste. At the Future Generations Forum, a day organized for young people interested in sustainable organizations and companies, we performed “Waste Doctors”. In this 45-minute workshop the issue of food waste is presented in an absurd, symbolic way as an illness of our society. After being briefed, the participants choose one of TBYW’s rescued fruits or veggies as their patient throughout the workshop. Together they undergo all steps of the health care system - preventative care, diagnosis, treatment, and referral - to find relief from the sickness of our wasteful society.
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Participants learn about buying, storing, assessing, preparing, and re-using foods consciously to reduce wastage. About twenty people between the ages of 16 and 25 joined the workshop. Three waste doctors, including me, presented the different steps of saving food. In three rounds we presented our treatments to the participants and their “patients”. My topic was treatment. I gave tips for dealing with fruits and vegetables that are overripe or do not look perfect anymore as a result of bad planning. With small groups we discussed different options, such as storing and different preservation and cooking methods.
Giving the workshop was an enjoyable and energizing activity for me and I felt that I could transfer my enthusiasm to the participants very well. As the organizer of “no-waste dinners” at TBYW I have gained a lot of experience in cooking with ugly fruits and vegetables, so there was a lot to talk about. Most of the workshop was interactive and we had very interesting discussions and exchanged ideas with the group. This event was the first occasion where I performed as a waste doctor and the theater element was new to me and made it a small challenge within a topic that I know well. The workshop was a wonderful way to be back home again doing what I find important, interesting, and fun.
Giving the workshop was an enjoyable and energizing activity for me and I felt that I could transfer my enthusiasm to the participants very well. As the organizer of “no-waste dinners” at TBYW I have gained a lot of experience in cooking with ugly fruits and vegetables, so there was a lot to talk about. Most of the workshop was interactive and we had very interesting discussions and exchanged ideas with the group. This event was the first occasion where I performed as a waste doctor and the theater element was new to me and made it a small challenge within a topic that I know well. The workshop was a wonderful way to be back home again doing what I find important, interesting, and fun.
Food heroes
On the 17th and 18th of January Taste Before You Waste organized a photo exhibition with interesting speakers, workshops, delicious rescued food and live music. I was asked to give the “Food Heroes” workshop that Luana, the founder of the organization, has developed and taught at primary schools. Unfortunately the workshop was cancelled on the day itself because there were not enough children. There is a chance that I will give the workshop at schools in the future, which I would enjoy a lot. I will shortly summarize the set-up of the Food Heroes workshop.
In the 3,5-hour workshop children aged 9-13 are trained to become food heroes. A food hero and his/her sidekick (food hero in training) teach the children about the problem of food waste and how to take action and responsibility to tackle this issue. The workshop is organized around baking a carrot banana cake. By taking steps in the baking process we talk about the different reasons why food is thrown out, why it is a problem, the size of the problem, how you can prevent it, and how to teach others to become heroes too. The teaching style is playful, interactive, and practical. I think it is a great way to get children engaged in complex issues, by getting a hands-on experience.
I hope to have the opportunity to teach this workshop in the future. I will also be looking at other possibilities for me to spread the word about good, clean and fair food!
Will be continued…. © Heleen Prins 2016
In the 3,5-hour workshop children aged 9-13 are trained to become food heroes. A food hero and his/her sidekick (food hero in training) teach the children about the problem of food waste and how to take action and responsibility to tackle this issue. The workshop is organized around baking a carrot banana cake. By taking steps in the baking process we talk about the different reasons why food is thrown out, why it is a problem, the size of the problem, how you can prevent it, and how to teach others to become heroes too. The teaching style is playful, interactive, and practical. I think it is a great way to get children engaged in complex issues, by getting a hands-on experience.
I hope to have the opportunity to teach this workshop in the future. I will also be looking at other possibilities for me to spread the word about good, clean and fair food!
Will be continued…. © Heleen Prins 2016
For those interested, these are the lyrics to my rap: I hope you guys are in the mood ‘cause today I’ll be talking about food You all like food, right? (Yeah!) All right, all right, all right, all right Let me break this thing down in just a few seconds here Because things are breaking down around here And maybe it’s because of our baddest behavior! Biodiversity is lost all for our taste In the meantime half of what’s produced Goes to waste People these days live fast, eat fast (food) And others die young I’m telling you that something might be wrong Don’t break this earth down for nothing but our appetite All right? The current food situation is kinda strange I say it’s time to start the change Change makers, they need some inspiration And that’s why my project is about… |
This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.