App facilitates redistribution of surplus food
The EU is pressing member states to reduce food waste
An app aimed at minimising food waste by linking food businesses with people who can take surplus food has been launched by Friends of the Earth Malta.
The initiative is a collaboration between environmental NGOs across Southern Europe.
"Food Connect (as the app is called) creates a bridge between food businesses and people by promoting the redistribution of surplus food. The app connects restaurants, cafés, bakeries, supermarkets, and other food outlets with individuals who can make use of food that would otherwise go to waste," FOE said.
Food outlets can list surplus items via the website, while individuals and community organisations can collect oversupplied food.
“Businesses can not only help their community, but also reduce their environmental impact. Food breaking down in landfills causes the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. So it’s a win-win for people and the environment,” the NGO said.
Bio-waste from kitchens and canteens amounted to 36,296 tonnes out of 353,525 tonnes of municipal waste in Malta 2024.
Under the EU Waste Framework Directive (Directive (EU) 2025/1892), by the end of 2030 EU countries must cut food waste in restaurants/hotels/food services by 30% per person relative to the 2021–2023 average.
Another digital platform with a similar purpose, tarmix.gov.mt, was launched by the Malta Food Agency last year, its purpose also being to help reduce food waste in Malta by connecting businesses with surplus food to voluntary organizations in need.