Was there a time when we were asked to NOT waste food?

Yes, there have been various times throughout history when individuals or governments have encouraged people to not waste food. This has been particularly important during times of war or economic hardship when resources were limited and food shortages were a concern. For example, during World War I and World War II, governments in various countries implemented food rationing programs and launched propaganda campaigns urging citizens to not waste food and to conserve resources. More recently, there has been an increased focus on reducing food waste in order to address issues of sustainability and food security.