Are you aware that in the United States, nearly 40% of the food produced is tossed into the trash? As it makes its way to the landfill, 795 million people in the world wonder where their next meal will come from.
It’s ridiculous – as well as disheartening, which is why activists around the planet are doing their part to help reduce food waste and feed others with the discarded scraps.
This is exactly what Adam Smith, founder of The Real Junk Food Project, is doing in Armley, Leeds.
The social entrepreneur has created an empire of ‘social cafes’ through which to cook up stews, casseroles, soups and cakes with the unwanted products from supermarkets, independent grocers, and food banks.
The most unique aspect of the business model is that it has a “pay as you feel” rule. This policy encourages patrons to pay what they feel they can pay. If that amounts to nothing, then they can work for their meal.
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The Independent reports that in only 10 months, Smith has helped feed 10,000 people on 20 tons of unwanted food. In addition, he’s raised over 30,000 pounds (UK).
Since its success, forty-seven other similar style cafes have popped up in Manchester, Bristol, Saltaire, Los Angeles, Brazil, Warsaw, and Zurich.
In the United States, a similar grocery store called The Daily Table transforms unwanted or ‘expired’ leftovers into perfectly nourishing and tasty food for customers. The founder of that endeavor is Doug Rauch, the former president of Trader Joe’s.
It’s difficult for entrepreneurs inspired to repurpose food to carry out their vision, as in many areas of the world, retailers can be prosecuted if they sell food after the use-by date. The ‘best-before’ date is allowed, which is why Smith’s organization wants the law to be changed to prevent supermarkets from disposing of so much food at the fear of prosecution.
Thankfully, progress is being made. Earlier this year, France made it illegal for supermarkets to purposely waste food. Stores must now donate unsold food to charity, for animal feed, or for farming compost.
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Unfortunately, groups like Smith’s are often looked down upon because they seek food others deem not optimal for consumption. With a change of perspective, however, everyone might come to understand that a good share of food thrown into dumpsters is perfectly edible.
Recognizing this sooner rather than later would benefit everyone on the planet.
In Britain, food prices have risen 47% since 2003, which is quite high compared to the United States’ 30.4%, reports The Independent. Germany’s food inflation is 22.1% and France’s is 16.7%.
When people struggle to afford the basic necessities in life, you can be certain there’s a fault – if not many – with ‘the system’.
The Real Junk Food Project is an amazing concept and business model which will, hopefully, inspire other social cafes to sprout and blossom, as well.
What are your thoughts? Comment below and please share this news!
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LOVE, “the power of the Universe.”
“Love when pure and true, with no lust forming a part of it, is of a kind such as the Christ had for humanity. The rays that radiate from the Soul of one who has such Love are exactly like the pure Rose Diamond, rays of a dazzling bluish color. The one who has such Love in his Soul is Master over not only the Terror, but of his own self and therefore of all the world besides.”
ya’d think this is a no brainer for all food corporations – but NOPE.
We used to have a deal w/ a fast food (b4 steroids) chain to buy all the left overs every night for a fixed amount. Usually we had to give away most of it- couldn’t eat it all.
BTW: KUDOS – : -)
THREE GUESSES AND THE FIRST TWO ( 2 ) DON’T COUNT AS FAR AS WHO IS WASTING THAT MUCH FOOD . /////////////// MY GUESS WOULD BE OUR US OF A PUBLIC SCH ** ROO ** L SYSTEM – – WITH MOOOOOOCHELLLE OBOOOMA IN CHARGE OF THE LUNCH PROGRAM . / ///
TRY!
“Try! the Soul groweth tall and comely, and waxeth powerful and strong only as it putteth forth its Will! Mankind are of seven great orders : the last and greatest are the Children of the Starbeam, the Inheritors of the Temple. Weak ones can never enter its vestibules ; but only those who Try, and, trying, for a time, at length become victors and enter in. Man fails because of feeble, sleeping, idle will — succeeds because he wakes it up and ever keeps it wakeful!”
“Remember that love is the secret of life. Passion is death. Remember, also, that there is no ceremonial initiation in the higher science, that all is but a system of self-mastery, self-development, and there is no easy road, but that all must travel ever the same path, no matter who or what they may be. Spirituality it is the stone that the builders rejected. Unless you find this stone you can never enter the temple.”
“Love, the White Fire, is the secret of Life.”
”Love in its highest aspect is God.”
“God does not need our service personally; but his creation needs our service, and, when we give service, or help, to those whom he has created, we do it directly to Him. If we feed those who are hungered and cannot obtain food, then we have done it to Him.”