The amount of farm-level food waste redistributed by FoodCloud at its hubs in Cork, Dublin and Galway as part of its Growers’ Project will reach more than 200t of produce from seven growers across Ireland this year.
The project seeks to establish a national programme for the redistribution of surplus food from growers, which would otherwise not be able to donate due to packaging and transport costs, to community partners across the country.
This would result in reducing farm-level food waste, whilst providing fresh and nutritious produce to over 200 community partners which are supporting those who need it most in communities across Ireland.
FoodCloud connects businesses that have surplus food to communities that can use it. In Ireland, nearly 13,000t have been distributed since 2013, which is equivalent to over 30 million meals, working with nearly 700 charities.
Agriland spoke to FoodCloud project manager, Emily Fitzsimons at its Galway food hub where, in total, over 300t of surplus food has been redistributed this year, working with nearly 40 charities.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that Ireland generated 750,000t of food waste in 2022, including 53,000t at primary production level. The manufacturing and processing sector accounted for most waste at 230,000t.
FoodCloud
Fitzsimons said one of the barriers for producers and growers in particular donating to FoodCloud is the cost of processing the surplus produce and transporting it to its hubs.
Receiving support from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and other funders, FoodCloud can contribute towards those costs to access these vegetables and distribute them to community groups.
One group receiving surplus vegetables is a Meals on Wheels group in Co. Mayo which sends out over 700 meals a week. The Growers’ Project offers the group a consistent supply of surplus produce for a good portion of the year.
Other groups able to make use of the produce include community creches, after-school projects, housing associations, homeless services, food banks, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP), and family resource centres.
Last year, FoodCloud redistributed nearly 100t of produce, which is equivalent to 260,00 meals, from five growers which would otherwise have remained unharvested or sent for animal feed, via:
- Three local development companies in Donegal, Kerry and Cork, supporting over 30 community groups FoodCloud could not previously reach due to their rural locations;
- Its existing network of more than 200 community partners nationwide;
- FoodCloud kitchen using surplus food to produce community meals and in the production of a carrot and apple juice using gleaned apples from falling fruit and surplus carrots.
FoodCloud’s latest community partner survey in July this year found that 70%
of its community partners are experiencing an increase in demand for food, and 23% are
struggling to meet that demand.
Across six markets it has redistributed over 331.3 million meals, or 139,150t of surplus food, to over 7,000 charities internationally, saving approximately 445,280t of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent emissions from food waste.
FoodCloud is always looking for new food companies around Ireland to donate to its hubs
all types of ambient, chilled and frozen surplus stock, whether small or large, to ensure it gets to people that need it.
Businesses can see unexpected surplus pre or post Christmas due to changes in demand. Any business looking to donate can contact FoodCloud via [email protected].