REd ALIMENTA fights against food waste and social inequity
About this good practice
Moreover, in 2016, more than 21 per cent of Spanish population were at the risk of poverty or social exclusion.
With the aim of fighting against food waste and social inequity locally, REd ALIMENTA started working in 2017 in the city of Toledo.
On the one hand, the Association has a volunteer’s network from different neighbourhoods of the city, that collects from restaurants, schools or hospitals the excess of food that has already been cooked and delivers it to the neighbours’ house in glass containers using refrigerated backpacks. This food is ready and in good condition to eat, and, by taking advantage of it, they avoid wasting not only the food, but also the resources used in the cooking process, and contribute to sustainability.
On the other hand, they fight against social inequity while aiding to strengthen personal relations and making everyone feel included in the system. In May of 2019, 34 families were taking advantage of this programme, several of them were users of the Social Services of the town. The association don´t exclude any person on grounds of their religion, human race, culture or background. They collaborate with the Social Service of the town and are in contact with different associations in order to reach more people.
In addition, they give talks to children in schools to show them the importance of having responsible consumption habits.
Expert opinion
Globally, food waste alone generates about 8% – 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. It is estimated that Europe produces 89 million tonnes of food waste each year, equivalent to €143 billion. The reduction of food loss and waste is an important part of EU’s Farm to Fork Strategy, which proposes setting legally binding targets to reduce food waste across the EU. There’s no single solution to the food waste problem, but rather a larger system change is needed. Responsible management of surplus food has the potential to address two issues at once, food security and environmental strain, i.e. the need to feed more people, while creating a more sustainable and resistant food supply chain. Red ALIMENTA is a great example of such an approach, as they collect and redistribute surplus food which cannot be sold and provide it to socially challenged people. This good practice has potential to be implemented in other EU municipalities.
Resources needed
- Financial: contributions from partners and people who collaborate with the association with a monthly, quarterly or annual contribution, receiving a monthly average of 280 €, that they spend in material and the volunteers insurance.
Evidence of success
- During 2018 they avoided wasting approximately 5.5 tons of food.
- 50 people have taken advantage of the surplus generated.
- In 2019, they were awarded with a special mention in the Regional Environment Awards.
Potential for learning or transfer
The project is easy to replicate, has a strong potential to impact environment and people’s lives, and does not need a large budget.
A volunteer network is needed, and the collaboration of restaurants and public institutions with food service. Maybe the main difficulties are those related to the validation of the Sanitary Authorities.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha