7 Initiatives Shaping the Future of Food in Switzerland

Here are some initiatives from all over Switzerland that campaign against food waste:

1. Äss bar

The concept of the Äss-Bar is very simple: baked goods and patisserie that bakeries could not sell until the shop closes are offered at a reduced price the following day in the Äss-Bar under the motto “fresh from yesterday”.

Source: Äss-Bar

2. The Good Heinrich

“Zum guten Heinrich” is a catering company with a zero waste philosophy. They use high-quality and misshapen fruits and vegetables that cannot be sold – simply because they do not correspond to the standard size. In this way, they reduce the proportion of fruits and vegetables that are left on the farmers’ farms or end up in biogas plants. With their cargo bikes, the food is transported to where it is needed. Without any exhaust fumes! 

Source: The Good Heinrich

3. Too Good To Go

The Danish company Too Good To Go has been fighting against food waste with the app of the same name since it was founded in 2016. The free app connects bakeries, restaurants, supermarkets, and other catering establishments with users. On the app, users can see in which establishments in their area there is leftover food, can reserve it at a reduced price, and save it as a surprise parcel. This way, valuable food can still be sold – and everyone benefits: the company, the users, and the environment. The movement is currently active in 14 European countries, has also been represented in Switzerland since summer 2018, and expanded to the USA in September 2020.

Source: Too Good To Go

4. ACKR

ACKR processes fruits and vegetables that would otherwise be degraded to food waste into pickles, chutneys, bouillon powder, or chips. The vegetables are obtained directly from neighboring farmers who cannot sell them regularly. Their goal is to save fruits and vegetables that do not meet sales standards and turn them into durable, pleasurable products.

Source: ACKR

5. BONANA

Brown, blotchy bananas are no longer sold and many people perceive them as inedible. Bananas are very often wasted food. BONANA uses this food waste to produce Fine Food: Brown bananas, which would end up in the trash in supermarkets, are the basic ingredient for exclusive banana breads, which are incredibly delicious and which you can enjoy with a good feeling. The banana breads are delivered to order in Zurich.

Source: BONANA

6. Madame Frigo

Madame Frigo no longer wants to sit and watch as tons of perfect food end up in the trash in Switzerland.
There are already many communal refrigerators available to all interested parties in Bern and Thun as exchange platforms — here you can always put edible food that you no longer consume in the refrigerator compartment and you can also take products home with you. In this way, you are helping to sustainably reduce food waste in Switzerland.

Source: Madame Frigo

7. Ugly Fruits 

Ugly Fruits supplies you with crunchy vegetables and juicy fruits of organic quality throughout Switzerland. You can choose from a variety of basket sizes, so you always have as many fruits and vegetables at home as you really need. The aim of Ugly Fruits is to make organic products affordable for everyone and thereby counteract food waste.

Source: Ugly Fruits

If you’re interested in learning more about food waste, check out my last post:

Food Waste: From Crisis to Business Opportunity