Well folks this is my initial post. The purpose of this blog is to give those interested a place to follow my thoughts over the next week as I engage in the Live Below the Line Challenge (https://www.livebelowtheline.com/me/azantinge?lang=en).  Again, I am not one to push people into doing things.  Still, this whole exercise raises again the issue of feeding the world.  It is common in the developed world to think that your contribution can be money, or buying local to reduce energy use in the production of food, eating only organic in order to save the planet from Frankenfoods, or supporting the production of free-range chickens, grass-fed cattle and trashing GMO foods generally.

Sadly, these are all ideological responses to a real problem.  That is that we, all human beings, share one planet.  That planet has a fixed amount of land and water.  That land and water, combined with other resources, is all we have to feed ourselves. And continuously into the future. Yes, we should be concerned about biodiversity, climate change, economic growth, economic equality, and many of the other issues perceived as important. However, it all means nothing if we can't feed ourselves.

The Live Below the Line charity focuses our attention on the most vulnerable. Their survival is dependent on our choices because there are not enough resources in their part of the world to support their population.  That means our choices in using our resources affect them.  If we choose to produce food with them in mind, our choices mean higher food production that will result in more getting fed.  If we choose to focus only on our own needs, it may leave many with less than enough food to survive.

I have chosen to take part in this challenge because it is more complicated than raising money for a few charities.  While contributing is important, the real challenge is getting the conversation focused on the critical requirement of feeding everyone on this planet.

This blog will only have the modest goal of sharing with you my thoughts as I go through this week.  I know I will be looking to the end of the five-day challenge and success.  The sad thing is that I have a choice. There are many who have none.  It will be bitter sweet when the five days end.  I will have great pride knowing that I have achieved what I set out to do.  Again, I will be more satisfied if those following me recognize that this is not about my success or failure.  It is about changing how we think about the food challenge.

Please follow me this week and let's see how things develop.