Friends of the Earth Cyprus launches Food Connect platform to combat food waste

Friends of the Earth Cyprus has officially launched the Food Connect digital platform and mobile application in Cyprus, Portugal, and Malta. Funded by the European Union’s LIFE project, the initiative aims to reduce food waste by connecting businesses such as hotels, restaurants, bakeries, and supermarkets with charities and individuals. Users can access the platform via Android and iOS devices to list, reserve, and collect safe, edible surplus food at no cost.

The project addresses a significant environmental and social challenge, as Cyprus currently reports the highest rate of food waste in the European Union. Eurostat data indicates that approximately 286 to 294 kilograms of food are discarded per person annually on the island. By facilitating the redistribution of these resources, the platform seeks to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the waste of water, energy, and labor used in production, while simultaneously providing nutritional support to those in financial need.