Food waste is a global issue. Many companies are encouraging people to reduce food waste at home and are creating apps for people to find restaurants with surplus meals.
When grocery stores sell discarded food products, consumers become aware of the impact of wasted food on the environment. Denmark’s WeFood only sells out-of-date food that is mislabeled, damaged or bound to be thrown away. Shoppers who believe strongly in preserving food managed to get another WeFood store in Copenhagen.
This trend has now reached New South Wales, Australia, an Australian food rescue organisation opened the first-ever rescue-food marketplace in April 2017. OzHarvest Market was originally a one-time project that turned into a permanent retail space and has continued to thrive for the past two years.
Unlike a food bank, people are encouraged to donate and if they cannot afford it, they do not have to pay for their groceries. All food products are safe, edible and tasty despite imperfect packaging or expiry dates.
“Subtle defects such as a freckle or bruise, or even a mislabeled box, are what usually leads to food being thrown out,” explained founder, Ronni Kahn. “People will walk in and say, wow, this is exactly what I would buy anywhere, and now I can just take it, use it or give it away.”
