Ramadan tables are usually full of food. With dates, rice, sweets, and juices, the table may appear bountiful and celebratory. However, after iftar, half of such food occasionally goes in the garbage. Muscat Municipality has requested people to become smarter in the holy month and limit food waste in the city.
Muscat Municipality Calls Upon Residents To Minimise Food Waste Over Ramadan
A report identified in Muscat Daily showed that the municipality has recently launched an awareness campaign to help families make responsible meals and not waste food unnecessarily during Ramadan.
The Reason Why Ramadan Food Waste Is On The Increase
After a day of fasting, Iftar is usually a feast. The families include their meals at the dining table, and many of the hosts have a motivation to cook in large portions to accommodate guests. The motive is kind, but the outcome may end up being wasteful.
Municipal officials indicate that massive amounts of food are usually left unattended when the meal is completed. Leftovers are thrown away instead of being handed out to the needy or distributed.
The civil society urged citizens that food is a gift and must be preserved. Cooking less is not only doable but also mirrors the principles of gratitude and moderation that Ramadan promotes.
Habits That Are Simple And Can Make A Difference
The message put across by the municipality is simple: plan meals before cooking. The families will not have to cook more food than is required, as they can estimate the number of visitors and prepare realistic portions. Minor changes, such as serving smaller plates initially and cooking more only when needed, can reduce wastage to a considerable degree.
It was also recommended to store leftover meals in a proper manner by residents. Airtight containers can be used to preserve the food so that there is no wastage on a later day, since it can be used on the next day’s meal or the next day suhoor. These few measures can help save a lot of edible food that is wasted.
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Giving Excessive Food To The Needy
The spirit of generosity which characterises Ramadan is also pointed out in the campaign.
Rather than disposing of additional meals, the residents are advised to share the meals with the neighbours, workers or needy families. Giving out excess food helps to bond the community and also makes sure that a good meal is reached by those who might not have access to it.
According to municipal officials, small but thoughtful measures such as saving leftovers, cooking less and sharing additional meals can also help.
Cover Image Courtesy: CanvaPro/u_6vpr0vnk05 from pixabay
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Why is food waste common during Ramadan?
Large iftar meals often lead to extra food that remains uneaten.
What does Muscat Municipality advise residents to do during Ramadan?
Residents should plan meals carefully and avoid cooking excessive portions.
How can leftover iftar food be used responsibly?
It can be stored properly or shared with neighbours and people in need.