Once you have made the choice to join Fast for Change  and get connected to the ideas behind the discipline, it's time to think about how to put your faith into action over the long term. Here are just a few ideas for your imagination to feast upon:

More Fasting from Food

  • Why not try Fasting from unjust imported food products. Purchase fairly traded coffee, tea, chocolate, and fruit.
  • As a symbolic gesture of support for the over 850 million people who are living with hunger, simply give up food once in awhile. Perhaps you want to eat nothing but bread and water once a month, or give up meat for a week.
  • If you choose to fast, keep a Hunger Journal to record your thoughts and feelings.
  • Why not set aside time for volunteering at a food-bank, learning more about global hunger, or spending time in meditation and prayer.
  • Try sampling breads from different parts of the world each month.

Fasting from Fossil Fuels

Slow down. Park your car and walk, ride a bike, or take public transit. You’ll help reduce greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. People in countries where there is the greatest hunger are the most vulnerable to the affects of climate change, so you’ll be doing them a favour. You’ll also benefit personally from the extra quiet time for contemplation and prayer.

Fasting from Over-consumption

  • Leave your wallet at home and commit to a “buy nothing” day or week. Buy only the essentials and learn the value of simplifying your life.
  • If you don’t do so already, grow some food either in a community garden, or in a pot on your window sill.

Fasting from Complacency

  • Speak up against injustice.
  • Find out where your elected civic, provincial and federal representatives stand on food and hunger issues. Pay them a visit and ask questions.
  • Write a letter to your MP urging the government to make a greater contribution toward the work of ending hunger.
  • Look for other ways to use your voice or the collective voices of your family or group of friends.

Fasting from Entertainment

  • Turn off the TV. Unplug the MP3 player. Miss your weekly movie night with your friends. Stay off the internet for a day or a week. Pay attention to how much time you give to the pursuit of pleasure.
  • Reflect on how much the messages you receive through the media impact your own desire to consume more than is necessary.

Fasting from Disconnection

  • Take time to prepare, cook and eat food with others.
  • Watch the print, television, internet and radio media for news of the global food system.
  • Stay tuned to the issues and be informed of Canadian domestic and foreign policies on food, trade, development and agriculture by joining the Food Justice Network. Contact us at foodjustice@foodgrainsbank.ca to join.
  • Each time you pick up a food item while grocery shopping, be sure to read the label. Note its place of origin. Pray for all those involved in bringing that food to you.