The Ten Commandments of Food

by Vernita Kennen

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit presented these “ten commandments” to a January 2016 World Economic forum session on how food choices can become a catalyst for positive change. Here they are:

1. You shall give thanks for the food you eat.
2. You shall provide food for those who have no food.
3. You shall eat mindfully and in moderation.
4. You shall be grateful to those who grow and prepare food for your table.
5. You shall not waste food.
6. You shall reduce the ecological footprint of food production and supply.
7. You shall protect the biodiversity of the sources of food.
8. You shall support fair wages for farmers’ efforts.
9. You shall strive for all people to have access to affordable and nutritious food.
10. You shall rejoice and share the sacred gift of food with all.

Tveit said “It is important that we acknowledge the efforts, investments and very lives of living plants and creatures sacrificed to provide food for our tables. Food is sacred, as it is a gift of God to sustain our lives through sharing, celebration, gratitude, sacrifice and renewal. In our common home - - the Earth - - we have to work together to limit climate change and other barriers to food security, so that food can be made available to all today and in the years to come.”

(Photo via Unsplash)