EAT HAPPY and Caritas Vienna: Together against the food glut!

EAT HAPPY and Caritas Vienna: Together against the food glut!

The fight against food waste is characterized by great commitment in Vienna. EAT HAPPY Austria and Caritas Vienna have launched a groundbreaking initiative to pass on surplus food in a meaningful way. This collaboration was launched on September 29, 2024, World Day Against Food Waste. From autumn 2024, EAT HAPPY will regularly deliver sushi, bowls and mochi to various Caritas facilities in Vienna, including the Caritas youth emergency shelter a_way. The focus is not only on saving food, but also on supporting people in need. The importance of this collaboration is also underlined by Klaus Schwertner, the Caritas director of the Archdiocese of Vienna, who emphasizes how valuable food is and how sensible sustainable action can be combined with social commitment. EAT HAPPY has been contributing its expertise to Caritas' social projects for years, with employees regularly cooking in Caritas facilities and organizing collection campaigns for gifts and winter clothing around Christmas. Econews reported.

But what exactly happens at EAT HAPPY and Caritas? The two partners want to curb food waste with creative campaigns and a clear goal. For example, community cooking is also offered as part of the “ToNoWaste” project, where free cooking workshops are held to combat food waste. These workshops, which have been taking place at the Brotfabrik cultural center since May 2024, not only offer the opportunity to learn practical cooking skills, but also impart knowledge about the challenges of food waste. In interactive group work, participants can discuss their own methods to combat food waste and learn about various recipes, such as Italian panzanella, which is a tasty way to use up old bread and overripe tomatoes. The workshops are offered in several languages ​​and are met with great interest. Caritas Vienna has already reported on the first successful events.

Far-reaching impacts of food waste

However, food waste is a global problem. According to current estimates, a third of all edible food is lost worldwide. In Germany, around 18 million tons of food end up in the trash every year, which corresponds to more than 500 kilograms per second. This highlights how serious the situation is, and the causes are varied. Products that do not conform to the norm, such as crooked vegetables, often leave the fields while they are being grown. But it's not just agriculture that is affected - we also throw away around 78 kg of food per person per year in our households. A rethink is therefore required: It is recommended to buy regionally, seasonally and organically if possible. There are also initiatives such as food sharing, which offer a sensible alternative to waste by passing on excess food. Since 2021, German Environmental Aid (DUH) has been calling on the EU to set binding reduction targets to minimize food losses by 2030. YOU H has also developed concrete suggestions for better labeling of best-before dates and the promotion of food donations.

Through the efforts of EAT HAPPY, Caritas Vienna and other organizations, it is clear that everyone can do their part to reduce food waste. Be it by saving food or actively participating in cooking workshops – together we can make a meaningful difference.