Food rescue in Friedrichshain: surprise bags for bargain hunters!

Food rescue in Friedrichshain: surprise bags for bargain hunters!

In Berlin-Friedrichshain, an innovative supermarket has opened, which offers a welcome solution for many people in times full of refrigerators and empty wallets. According to Berlin Live is not only an entrepreneur Passive advocate of sustainability. It runs a supermarket that enables consumers to buy excess food at reduced prices by using the "Too Good to Go" app.

The app enables users to acquire surprise bags with unsuccessful foods, the content of which usually includes fruit, vegetables, dairy products and baked goods. These bags cost between 3 and 4 euros, which corresponds to about a third of the original value of the goods. Heiden opened his shop in early 2023 after recognizing the need in his neighborhood. It also offers a selection of food in large glass containers that customers can fill themselves. On Saturdays he sells products that can no longer be sold and thus contributes to reducing food waste.

food rescue in global context

The initiative "Too Good to Go" was founded in Copenhagen in 2015 and has since developed to a crucial part in the fight against food waste. According to Uncommon Food Every year, almost a third of the food produced, which has significant ecological and economic consequences. Food waste not only leads to a loss of valuable resources, but also contributes to the release of harmful greenhouse gases.

The app is now active in over 19 countries and has won millions of users while working with over 170,000 companies. Users can use the platform to actively act against food waste and save money at the same time. Since its foundation, “Too Good to Go” has saved over 350 million meals and has contributed to reducing more than 873,500 tons of CO2 emissions. In addition, various initiatives for clarification about durability data and to promote healthy eating have increased the commitment to food waste.

food waste in Germany

In Germany, the facts are similarly alarming. Every year, around 11 million tons of food end up in the trash, with private households being responsible for 58 percent of these waste. According to BMEL , the average food waste per person in German households is about 76 kilograms a year. In order to counteract this, the initiative became "Too good for the bin!" launched that aims at reducing food waste at retail and consumer levels.

The BMEL offers a variety of offers, including recipes and ideas for clever remaining recycling. Any later planning is crucial to recognize and address the need for action. This is particularly important in view of the aim of the United Nations to halve the waste of food by 2030 at retail and consumer levels.

The measures that are taken by private retailers and the supermarket in Friedrichshain and national initiatives are part of an essential and ongoing process to combat food waste in all areas of society and at the same time find creative solutions for the use of excess food.