Foodsharing

Foodsharing.de is an online platform that specializes in the distribution of surplus food in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The platform allows individuals and businesses to share and rescue food that is no longer needed but still edible. There are two main components:

• Foodsharer: Individuals can offer their surplus food in so-called "food baskets" and give it away for free to others.
• Foodsaver: Volunteers pick up sorted out or leftover food from cooperating businesses and distribute it to charitable organizations, individuals, or in publicly accessible "fair sharers" like refrigerators and boxes[1][4].

The main mission of foodsharing.de is to reduce food waste and promote responsible resource management. The goal is to halve food waste by the year 2030 and ultimately end it. The initiative raises awareness of the problems of the globalized economy and encourages a change in thinking and responsible action. Foodsharing advocates for sustainability, global justice, and the appreciation of food[3].

Foodsharing.de is engaged in various sustainability initiatives:

• Food Rescue: Through collaboration with businesses and individuals, tons of food are rescued from destruction and reused every day.
• Educational Work: The initiative promotes educational work at all levels to encourage a change in thinking regarding the handling of food and resources.
• Political and Public Relations Work: Foodsharing works with politicians, the press, and the public to raise awareness of the problems of food waste and to offer solutions[3].

The operator of the platform, the association foodsharing e.V., was founded in June 2012 and is based in Cologne. The association works almost exclusively on a voluntary basis and is non-profit. The platform is free to use and ad-free. The organization is decentralized, with local and regional groups connecting through ambassadors and regular meetings[1][2].