Background information sheet, compiled by volunteers of Foodsharing i Östersund in April 2018.
The figures change! Be sure to update them before using this template!!!
Why
In Sweden, about 995,000 tonnes of food and drink are wasted per year, or around 107 kg per person. Of this, about half is edible. If we reduce food waste, we also reduce the environmental impact.
What is it?
Foodsharing is a movement that takes care of food from, for example, food stores that would otherwise be disposed of and share it free of charge to those who can make use of it.
An open and collaborative activity to reduce food waste, both in households and in food stores. Foodsharing is about creating an infrastructure and a sharing / collaborative economy for food that is suitable for consumption, but is usually thrown into the bin. With Foodsharing we can reduce food waste while making it easier for those who cannot afford food or those who simply care about creating a sustainable society with less waste. The aim is also to draw the attention of society towards the food waste problem and to engage more people in the matter through direct action.
How does it work?
Foodsharing builds cooperations with food stores and members collect the food that is sorted out and otherwise would be disposed of. This food is now available again for human consumption and can be eaten by the member or shared with other people.
An open solidarity fridge or pantry is called “Food-Share Point” and can be found in different districts where food from both individuals and food stores can be preserved and then find the way to someone’s stomach, instead of ending up in trash cans. The Food-Share Points are found in completely public areas or easily accessible locations with clear opening hours. You can leave or take fresh food that would otherwise be thrown out. It’s open to the public to come and pick up what’s in the fridge, while the foodsavers who are engaged in the movement make sure that everything is clean and tidy. We take this very seriously and follow a rolling schedule to be able to provide a space you want to take food from!
Background
We get the inspiration from the Foodsharing movement in Germany, where the idea was born and soon began to spread. There are solidarity refrigerators or food items in most bigger cities and districts, and the movement consists of more than 3400 food stores and 3700 partners (see updated statistics).