Problem Statement:

Food waste is a major challenge, globally and in Bahrain, with implications on food security, the environment, and the economy. Evidently, 34% of food served in West Asia is wasted, according to the United Nations Environment Program. In Bahrain, 216,161 tonnes of annual household food is wasted, which is almost tripled during the fasting month of Ramadan.

 

In terms of environmental implications, if food waste was a country, it would be the 3^rd biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Economically, food waste and loss cost the global economy $936 billion a year. In addition, while tonnes and tonnes of food is wasted, many households live in hunger, as the food waste is enough to feed 12% of the global population, lifting them out of hunger. 

 

Proposed Solution:

Collaborate with Conserving Bounties Society, Bahrain’s food bank initiative, to raise awareness to the general public, on the scale of the food waste issue, its repercussions, and sustainable practices to adopt to reduce food waste. Among the sustainable practices emphasized is the society’s work of collecting surplus food to be redistributed to those in need. 

 

This is line with SDG #12 relatd to responsible consumption and production, which includes a target to halve per capita global food waste by 2030.

 

Hub Activities:

Throughout the month of Ramadan, several data-driven posts were shared on the issue, its implications and practices to reduce food waste. Specific posts were also created to highlight the food bank’s work and their contact details.

 

We also collaborated with a restaurant owner to create a video of a recipe using food leftovers, to inspire the audience to be creative with food leftovers.

 

Aiming to practice what we preach, during our Hub’s Ghabga, a social event that takes place during Ramadan, we ensured to order a suitable amount of food to avoid food waste, and contacted Conserving Bounties Society to collect the remaining food.

 

Short & Long-Term Goals/Results:

The campaign fulfilled its mandate of raising awareness on reducing food waste, by highlighting the issue and sharing practical solutions to implement. This is evidenced by the high engagement levels with the social media posts.  

 

Available Metrics:

Based on Instagram Insights, across all posts, an average of 456 accounts have seen the posts, and an average of 62 accounts have engaged via likes, comments, shares, and saves. In addition, collectively, the posts have been shared 164 times, which amplifies the impact of the campaign.

 

Collaborators:

Conserving Bounties Society

Restaurant owner of Darseen Cafe