On March 26 at St.Raphael Resort in Limassol I attended the launch event of Food Connect Platform.
The team had an opportunity to present the first food donation app in Cyprus, share the vision behind the project, and demonstrate how it can be used in practice whether you’re a business or a recipient. The mobile application is expected to become available on Google Play and the App Store for recipients within the coming month. The second launch event is planned after the app is live.
The Food Connect project has officially launched with the aim of tackling food waste and strengthening food donation systems across Southern Europe. The initiative brings together organisations, businesses, public authorities and citizens to promote responsible food consumption and ensure that surplus food reaches those who need it most.
Food waste remains a major environmental and social challenge in Europe. In Cyprus alone, around 294 kilograms of food are wasted per person every year, according to Eurostat. At the same time, many individuals and organisations struggle with food insecurity. The Food Connect project addresses this contradiction by encouraging the redistribution of surplus food instead of allowing it to be discarded.
A digital platform connecting food donors and recipients
Sophia Ioannou from DIAS group which is responsible for coordination and communication of this project, highlighted the project’s objectives and target audiences At the centre of the project is FoodConnect, a platform and wider initiative designed to to connect food donors (businesses) with organisations and individuals who can benefit from surplus food. The platform builds on previous work developed through the LIFE FoodPrint project. Through the platform, businesses and organisations can easily register food donations, while beneficiaries can identify available food and arrange collection, using the respective mobile app.
Restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, agricultural producers and other organisations in the food and hospitality sector can use the platform to donate surplus food safely and efficiently. By facilitating these connections, the platform helps reduce food waste while supporting vulnerable communities.
Expanding Food Connect across Southern Europe
The project also aims to expand the use of the FoodConnect platform through pilot implementations in Cyprus, Malta and Portugal. These pilot activities will help test the platform in different national contexts and strengthen collaboration between stakeholders working on food waste reduction and food redistribution.
The results of these pilots will contribute to the development of a model that can be replicated in other European countries.
Why organisations should join the Food Connect platform
During the launch event, Sara Mariza Vryonidi, project manager at Friends of the Earth Cyprus coordinating the Food Connect project mentioned the important role that businesses and organisations can play in reducing food waste. Registering as a food donor on the Food Connect platform can offer several benefits.
Organisations can reduce their waste management costs by donating surplus food instead of disposing of it. Participation in the platform can also provide opportunities to be recognised through sustainability certifications and awards. In addition, food donation strengthens a company’s social image and demonstrates a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility.
Most importantly, organisations that participate actively contribute to addressing one of the most pressing environmental and social issues of our time.
Addressing concerns from potential donors
During Q&A session at the event it was also discussed that some organisations may initially hesitate to register on the platform. Donating surplus food may require additional operational steps, particularly in the early stages. Businesses may need to allocate staff time to pack surplus food, coordinate collection times or manage communication with recipients. However, the FoodConnect project aims to simplify these processes through the digital platform and by providing guidance and support to participating organisations.
At the same time, the project also works to help create the right conditions for food donation in Cyprus, including through advocacy and cooperation with public authorities to support clearer guidelines and a stronger enabling framework.
Engaging the entire food system
The Food Connect project engages a wide range of stakeholders across the food system.
Direct target groups include food donors such as businesses in the food and hospitality sector, agricultural producers, civil society organisations, municipalities and public bodies. The project also supports food receivers, including individuals in need as well as organisations such as NGOs, grassroots initiatives and community groups.
Indirect target groups include consumers, the general public, researchers, policymakers and the scientific community. By engaging all these actors, the project seeks to raise awareness about the environmental and social implications of food waste and encourage more responsible consumption practices.
As the initiative moves forward, there is strong hope that more businesses and organisations in Cyprus will choose to join the platform and become part of this collective effort.
Written by Lusine Mirzoyan (LinkedIn)
www.natureallydone.com 
Leave a comment