INOVA+ and ZERO launch the Food-Connect platform to tackle food waste in Portugal
Food-Connect, the new digital food donation platform developed as part of a European project funded by the LIFE programme, was officially launched in Portugal on 23 September, marking the start of the initiative’s pilot phase. The platform aims to facilitate connections between donors and individuals, households and social organisations, promoting a more efficient response to food waste and social needs.
In Portugal, INOVA+ and ZERO – Associação Sistema Terrestre Sustentável are responsible for implementing, monitoring and publicising the initiative, as part of a European consortium bringing together partners from Portugal, Malta and Cyprus. The project seeks to demonstrate how digital solutions can help reduce food waste, promote the circular economy and strengthen social cohesion.
A platform that brings together those who can donate with those most in need
Food-Connect was created to simplify the free donation of surplus food from the hospitality, catering and agri-food sectors, enabling food in good condition to reach individuals and families who need it.
The platform offers an innovative solution to food waste in Portugal, promoting a more comprehensive, accessible and sustainable approach to food redistribution. By bringing potential donors and recipients together via a digital solution, the initiative aims to maximise the use of surplus food and reduce the environmental impacts associated with food waste.
Against a backdrop of rising living costs, growing concern for sustainability and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Food-Connect emerges as a tool capable of generating both environmental and social benefits simultaneously.
Growing interest in the use of digital solutions
The field study carried out by the project in the three partner countries demonstrated strong receptiveness to the initiative: 49 per cent of potential donors and recipients expressed an interest in using a digital food donation platform, highlighting the potential of such solutions to facilitate the redistribution of surplus food.
Through Food-Connect, the project aims to help reduce food waste, increase access to food for vulnerable individuals and families, and encourage more active participation by the various stakeholders in the food chain in the transition towards more sustainable food systems.
How to join Food-Connect
The platform is free to use
Organisations interested in donating food can register directly on the Food-Connect website. Potential recipients, meanwhile, can download the app from the Google Play Store for Android devices, or from the App Store for iOS devices.
With the launch of Food-Connect, INOVA+ reinforces its commitment to developing and implementing innovative solutions that promote environmental sustainability, social innovation and the transition to a more circular and inclusive economy.
Co-funded by the European Union. The opinions and views expressed are those of the author(s) alone and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the funding authority can be held responsible for them. [Project No.: 101148772]