Greece, grappling with a troubling statistic that sees nearly 100 kilograms of edible food per person discarded annually, ranking the nation fourth in the European Union for food waste, is taking action to cultivate a culture of sustainability through a homegrown app.
“FoodBag,” launched just five months ago, has set out to make a difference by providing a platform for businesses such as bakeries, grocery stores, supermarkets, restaurants, and hotels to sell their surplus food to conscious consumers seeking savings. The app allows these establishments to advertise their excess food at significant discounts, offering a practical solution to both businesses and consumers.
Konstantinos Magkaniaris, the 39-year-old CEO of FoodBag, who co-founded the company alongside Laura Kiriazopoulou, emphasizes their mission, stating, “We believe we’re giving a lot of professionals who end up with a certain amount of unsold product every day a new option and the possibility of at least recouping the cost of production.”
Though currently operating within the confines of Attica, FoodBag has already made significant strides, amassing an impressive user base of 6,500 individuals and establishing partnerships with approximately 80 businesses. The app’s rapid growth highlights the pressing need to address food waste issues and the growing appetite among consumers to actively participate in reducing food wastage and promoting sustainable practices.
By leveraging technology and facilitating the redistribution of surplus food, FoodBag is poised to make a meaningful contribution toward tackling Greece’s food waste crisis, and perhaps inspire similar initiatives worldwide.
