Deborah Maria Insertillo: “Since elementary school, I have been fighting against food waste. We need a cultural change”

Too often we throw food away without thinking of others. In Italy, in one year, food waste is worth 9 billion euros. On average – says a recent report by Spreco Zero – in twelve months each of us throws away, without consuming them, 27 kilos of food, especially fruit, vegetables and bread.

Yet that food could help dozens of families make ends meet. To reverse this trend, therefore, “a change of culture and more solidarity” is needed, says the 19-year-old Deborah Maria Insertillojust named Bishop of the Republic for her commitment as a volunteer against food waste.

In fact, when she was in elementary school this young girl from Imerese terms started working with the Food bank and since then it hasn’t stopped: first the difficult collection in front of the supermarkets, asking people for a gesture of kindness inviting them to contribute to the food collection, then the delivery “in families where there were empty fridges and shelves”, up to the awareness – now studying Educational Sciences at the University – of the need to teach children and their parents the importance of fighting waste.

For his commitment, together with 30 other very young people, the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella she awarded the student with a certificate of honour, but for her “there is nothing special in what I do, it’s something I feel and that pushes me to commit myself to others” she says.

How did the fight against food waste start?
“When I was a child and I went to elementary school, I was invited to take part in the food collection day, to collect products for others. I fell in love with it: it was something beautiful, good for me and for other people. It is not easy to convince people to donate something, even in terms of food. There is often skepticism, especially in recent times, but I insisted and continued to participate every year. Then my conscience matured and with the Food Bank I started distributing parcels and shopping to those in need, realizing more and more of the need not to waste: if on the one hand there are those who throw away, on the other there are always those who need help”.

Aid to families, but also to the environment.
“Yes, because on the one hand there is support for people who – I have seen with my own eyes – really have empty fridges and lockers, people for whom even a single pack of pasta is essential, but on the other there is also a positive action for the environment: we avoid sending food and products to pulp and we cultivate a culture of recovery and recycling. I believe that the Banco Alimentare is doing a lot in this”.

Today you also deal with education and awareness against waste?
“In addition to being a volunteer, I am now a promoter of education and awareness-raising activities in the schools of my city, Termini Imerese. We try to educate the youngest and we offer exhibitions on sustainable development to always remember how much we waste and how, in small solutions to be adopted. Before throwing away food, we always remind young people to give it to those who have none, from people to animals, rather than throwing it away”.

The data on food waste is worrying. In your activity, however, do you see signs of hope for a cultural change?
“As far as I’ve seen, I’ve noticed people who donate a lot, while others give little but often. In general, however, I’ve observed solidarity grow, especially in the pandemic. These are signs of hope. We’ve met many cases of families who really need: bringing the package then a relationship is established, young people meet, discussions and problems are discovered and other forms of help that we offer come into play, such as after school.In our action, therefore, there is not only economic support, but also social and cultural. And I believe this type of support is spreading, but a cultural change is needed, also for other products that could be recovered”.

For example which ones?
“Medicines. Thanks to Banco Farmaceutico, people with a good heart can buy extra medicines to donate, but they can also collect medicines that are no longer used and still good for those in need. This type of support should be implemented”.

Were you impressed by the appointment of Bishop of the Republic?
“I’m very happy with this nomination, I didn’t expect it. I don’t think I’ve done something so striking, but it’s a nice recognition. In the meantime, however, I continue to study and continue my commitment to avoid waste. For me it is essential to educate young people to solidarity, I believe that perhaps it is the first step towards a more equitable future and to really learn to recycle”.