Are We Teaching Our Kids to Waste Without Thinking?
Every day, millions of people—including children—go hungry, while perfectly good food gets scraped into the trash. It’s a hard truth, but an important one.
If our kids don’t learn to value food, how can we expect them to respect it?
And that lesson starts at home.
Simple Ways to Raise Food-Smart Kids
Small changes in your family’s routine can make a big difference:
-
Serve smaller portions – They can always go back for seconds.
-
Talk about hunger – Not just globally, but in our own communities.
-
Frame food as a gift – Not something to take for granted.
-
Make waste reduction a family challenge – It’s good for people and the planet. Take the Waste Quiz
Helping Kids Build Healthy Eating Habits
You can also shape attitudes around food through how meals are served:
-
Offer two items they like, so they feel safe and included
-
Add one new or less-loved food to build curiosity over time
-
Let them serve themselves — small portions encourage exploration without pressure
- Encourage them to prepare safe snacks independently
Tastes change as kids grow. The goal isn’t to force them to eat—it’s to build gratitude, confidence, and a lifelong respect for food.
Gratitude starts at the table. Let’s help our kids understand that every bite matters—for their bodies, for their futures, and for the world.
